Phytochemical Profiling and Therapeutic Potential of Ficus benjamina L.: Insights into Anticancer and Anti-inflammatory Activities

Abstract

Background: Ficus benjamina L., commonly known as the weeping fig, is a plant traditionally used for various medicinal purposes, particularly in Southeast Asia. Despite its widespread use, there is a scarcity of scientific data validating its therapeutic properties, especially its anti-inflammatory and anticancer potentials. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical profile of Ficus benjamina L. and to evaluate its anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities to provide a scientific basis for its traditional uses. Methods: The plant materials were collected and subjected to extraction using methanol and dichloromethane. The extracts were analyzed for primary and secondary metabolites. The anticancer activity was tested using the MTT assay on HeLa cells, and anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using a luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence method. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 25, focusing on inferential statistics to compare the bioactivity of the extracts against standard drugs. Results: Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins. The dichloromethane extract showed significant anti-inflammatory activity with 58.6% inhibition at a concentration of 50 µg/ml and an IC50 of 8.966±1.03. The methanol extract exhibited minimal anticancer activity with an 8.3% inhibition rate at 30 µg/ml, suggesting low efficacy against HeLa cells compared to the standard drug, Doxorubicin, which showed a 101.2% inhibition. Conclusion: The study confirms that Ficus benjamina L. contains bioactive compounds with potential anti-inflammatory benefits and limited anticancer activity. These findings support the traditional use of the plant in treating inflammatory conditions and highlight the need for further research to optimize extraction techniques and expand biological testing.