Abstract
The common wild fig, Ficus thonningii, is extensively used in African ethnomedicine for treating a number of disease conditions which include diarrhoea, urinary tract infections, diabetes mellitus, gonorrhoea, respiratory infections, and mental illnesses. This review aims to present a logical analysis of the nutritional, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of F. thonningii in relation to its therapeutic applications. A bibliographic analysis of the uses, phytochemical constituents and phytophamacological properties of Ficus thonningii was carried out using published papers, medicinal plant databases and various ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological books. Ficus thonningii contains various bioactive compounds which include alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins and active proteins, all of which contribute to its curative properties. In vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies revealed that F. thonningii possesses antimicrobial, antidiarrhoeal, antihelmintic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies have shown that Ficus thonningii is non-toxic if administered orally in low doses. Scientific research has validated the ethnomedicinal claims that Ficus thonningii is useful in disease management. However, there is need to continue identifying, isolating and quantifying the active principles and possibly determine the mechanisms underlying its curative properties.
Highlights
Plant-based remedies have proved to be useful in the treatment and management of diseases and are used extensively in ethnomedical and ethnoveterinary practice
On the basis that the wild fig has the similar uses across the continent, this review focuses on the nutritional composition, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical composition, pharmacological properties and toxicology of the common wild fig
In Mali, F. thonningii leaves are combined with the leaves and fruits of the African Palmyra palm (Borassus aethiopum) and the mixture is used for massaging, bathing and fumigating those suffering from paralysis and polio (Malgras, 1992)
Summary
Plant-based remedies have proved to be useful in the treatment and management of diseases and are used extensively in ethnomedical and ethnoveterinary practice. About 75-90 % of the world population still relies on plants and plant extracts as a source of primary health care (Benzie and Watchel-Galor, 2011). This widespread use of plant derived extracts in disease management has led to an interest in the identification and characterisation of the active compounds which give the extracts their therapeutic potential. The common wild fig, Ficus thonningii, is one of the many fruit-bearing trees that have traditionally been used for treating diseases in Africa and beyond. Despite its widespread use in ethnomedicinal systems, F. thonningii is a well known ornamental tree that is used in improving agroforestic systems. F. thonningii is commonly used in homesteads for fencing, firewood and construction (Orwa et al, 2009)
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