A review of the phytochemical compounds and pharmacological activities from selected Ficus plants

Abstract

The Ficus genus belongs to the Moraceae family were used for medicinal purposes. Distributed in America, Asia, Africa, and Australia, there were sixteen species accepted in Indonesia. They were Ficus callosa, Ficus melinocarpa, Ficus elastica, Ficus drupaceae, Ficus geocarpa, Ficus Superba, Ficus heteropoda, Ficus fistulosa, Ficus hirta, Ficus ampelas, Ficus adenosperma, Ficus ardisioides, Ficus consociate, Ficus ribes, Ficus lyrata, Ficus virens Aiton. This article reviewed the scientific work of the Ficus genus. Their traditional usage, phytochemical compounds, and pharmacological activity were summarized. This study aims at providing a collection of publications on selected species of Ficus genus. A critical review of the literature data revealed secondary metabolite like triterpenoid, steroid, saponin, flavonoid, phenolic compound and alkaloid were found in some species of Ficus. Some pure compounds such as quercetin, quercetin 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside, epilupeol acetate, oleanolic acid, friedelin, elastiquinone, pinocembrin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, and ficusoside B were isolated. A wide range of pharmacological activities was observed. Antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, antiparasitic, cytotoxic, and antimalarial were found in previous researches. Ficus genus was potential to be developed as a medicinal plant.