A review of Ficus L. genus (Moraceae): a source of bioactive compounds for health and disease. Part 1

• Published in: American journal of translational research 2024, Vol.16 (11), p.6236-6273
• Main Authors: Madrigal-Santillán, Eduardo, Portillo-Reyes, Jacqueline, Morales-González, José A, Sánchez-Gutiérrez, Manuel, Izquierdo-Vega, Jeannett A, Valadez-Vega, Carmen, Álvarez-González, Isela, Chamorro-Cevallos, Germán, Morales-González, Ángel, Garcia-Melo, Luis Fernando, Batina, Nikola, Paniagua-Pérez, Rogelio, Madrigal-Bujaidar, Eduardo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Review
• ISSN: 1943-8141; 1943-8141
• DOI: 10.62347/MVBZ4789

The L. genus, belonging to the Moraceae family, includes around 850 species that are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions around the world; including the Eastern Mediterranean, Asia, Africa, Australia, and a large territory of America. Among the most important species are , , , , , Vahl, , , , and . Different parts of plants (root, stem bark, latex, leaves, pulp and fruits) contain bioactive compounds [flavonoids (flavanols, flavones, flavonols, isoflavones, chalcones, anthocyanins), phenolic acids (hidroxylcinnamic acids, hidroxylbenzoic acids), phytosterols, terpenes (triterpenes, tetraterpenes, diterpenes, sesquiterpenes, monoterpenes), coumarins, hydroxybenzoates, phenylpropanoids, chlorins, pheophytins, megastigmanes, chitinases, organic acids, fatty acids, amino acids, alkaloids, glycosides] which together, are currently useful to more than 30 traditional ethnomedical uses. The present manuscript is the result of scientific search processed with the main electronic databases (PubMEd, SciELO, Latindex, Redalyc, BiologyBrowser, ScienceResearch, ScienceDirect, Academic Journals, Ethnobotany, and Scopus). This first review (Part 1), compiles information from published research (in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies) on its antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-helminthic, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties; as well as its possible adverse and/or toxicological effects. Given the amount of evidence described in this review it aims to trigger a more detailed scientific research on the important pharmacological properties of all angiosperm plants of the genus L.