Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Properties, and Recent Applications of Ficus benghalensis and Ficus religiosa

Ficus is one of the largest genera in the plant kingdom that belongs to the Moraceae family. This review aimed to summarize the medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological actions of two major species from this genus, namely Ficus benghalensis and Ficus religiosa. These species can be found abundantly in most Asian countries, including Malaysia. The chemical analysis report has shown that Ficus species contained a wide range of phytoconstituents, including phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, glycosides, sugar, protein, essential and volatile oils, and steroids. Existing studies on the pharmacological functions have revealed that the observed Ficus species possessed a broad range of biological properties, including antioxidants, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antitumor and antiproliferative, antimutagenic, antimicrobial, anti-helminthic, hepatoprotective, wound healing, anticoagulant, immunomodulatory activities, antistress, toxicity studies, and mosquitocidal effects. Apart from the plant parts and their extracts, the endophytes residing in these host plants were discussed as well. This study also includes the recent applications of the Ficus species and their plant parts, mainly in the nanotechnology field. Various search engines and databases were used to obtain the scientific findings, including Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PMC, Research Gate, and Scopus. Overall, the review discusses the therapeutic potentials discovered in recent times and highlights the research gaps for prospective research work.

Molecular Docking Analysis of Ficus religiosa Active Compound with Anti-Inflammatory Activity by Targeting Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor in Diabetic Wound Healing

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus contributes to the delayed healing of wounds causes disturbance of inflammatory cytokine. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor (VEGFR) both have a role in the persistent inflammation associated with diabetic wounds. Ficus religiosa has developed a reputation as a traditional wound healer among some java people in Indonesia. AIM: Our study aims to discover the molecular interaction between the active constituents of F. religiosa with TNF-alpha and VEGFR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research was conducted in computerized molecular docking using Protein database, Pymol, Discovery studio, and Pyrex software. A thorough literature search was conducted to identify the potential compound and molecular target for diabetic wounds. Analysis of its anti-inflammatory properties was also carried out using a passonline webserver. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using the Lipinski Rule of Five websites and the PreADMET website. RESULTS: Each of the study’s active compounds has a good pharmacokinetic profile. The predictions of the compound’s structure indicate that it has a strong anti-inflammatory impact. Lupenyl acetate and Lanosterol bind more strongly to the TNF-alpha than the natural ligand, but Piperine binds more strongly to VEGFR. CONCLUSIONS: Lupenyl acetate, Lanosterol, and Piperine compounds have anti-inflammatory effects through inhibition of TNF-alpha and VEGFR. In addition, this compound has potential to become a drug because it has good pharmacokinetics. Future studies are required to determine the effectiveness and toxicity of Lupenyl acetate, Lanosterol, and Piperine as potential treatment in diabetic wounds.

Genome sequencing and comparative analysis of Ficus benghalensis and Ficus religiosa trees reveal evolutionary mechanisms of longevity

Ficus benghalensis (Indian banyan tree) and Ficus religiosa (Peepal) trees are well-known for their long lifespan, traditional significance, and medicinal properties. Therefore, to understand the genomic and evolutionary aspect of these characteristics the whole genomes of these two Ficus species were sequenced using 10x Genomics and Oxford Nanopore sequencing platforms. The draft genome assemblies of F. benghalensis (392.89 Mbp genome containing 25,016 high-confidence coding genes), and F. religiosa (332.97 Mbp genome containing 23,929 high-confidence coding genes) were constructed. We also established the genome-wide phylogenetic position of the two Ficus trees with respect to 46 other Angiosperm plant species and studied the comparative population demographic history of these two species to show a population bottleneck event ~0.8 Mya for both the species. We also identified 7,468 orthogroups across 16 phylogenetically closer Eudicot plant species including F. benghalensis and F. religiosa. Comparative evolutionary analyses using these orthogroups, gene family expansion/contraction analysis, and gene duplication analysis showed adaptive evolution in genes involved in cellular pathways and mechanisms that are central to plant growth and development and provide genomic insights into longevity and ecological significance of these large woody trees.

Assessment of Photosynthetic Pigments and Dust Load in Selected Avenue Plants of Saharanpur and Herbertpur Areas of India

The paper depicts impact of SO2, NO2, ozone and CO in chosen road plants of Saharanpur and Herbertpur regions in Indian dominion. Plant species falling in and around the area of modern territory and street side were chosen for examining purpose. Different morphological attributes and impact of business and vehicular residue on chlorophyll shade were contemplated and noticed the impact of residue molecule on development of the plant species (Ficus religiosa, Mangifera indica). In the examination the impacts of residue on chosen tree species was noticed and which will help in overseeing advancement of green belt to lessen the air contamination in the investigation area. Treatment with dust fundamentally expanded the fixation on leaves and the impacts were more extreme in significant degree of residue medicines. Contrasted with control, chlorophyll and porphyrin in substance were essentially diminished in the residue treated gatherings. This investigation propounds that business and vehicular residue statements affect photosynthetic shades, with broad impacts on development and improvement of plant.

A Review on Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical and Pharmacological studies of Nalpamaram

Ayurveda is an Indian traditional system of medicine used for various disease conditions. Plants are an important source of treatments and are extensively used for the preparation of different formulations. Herbal drugs are separately or in combination used for the treatment of various ailments in the traditional system of medicines. Nalpamaram is an important group of four trees used in Ayurveda which comprises trees like Ficus racemosa, Ficus microcarpa, Ficus benghalensis, and Ficus religiosa belongs to the family Moraceae. Trees have enormous medicinal values and they are lactiferous in nature. These trees are separately or in combination used for the treatment of various ailments in the traditional system of medicines. Different plant parts like bark, leaves, and fruits of ficus species are used as astringent, hemostatic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer, and it useful in pitta and Kapha. They are also effective in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, ulcers, vaginal disorders, leucorrhoea, menorrhea, and deficient lactation conditions. The barks of these trees are an important ingredient of many Ayurvedic formulations like Nalpamaradi Choorna, Nalpamaradi Tailam, Saribadyasavam, and Chandanasavam. The bark of tree is boiled with water; its decoction is used to cleanse the body of pregnant women towards reduce inflammation. This review article compiled the ethnobotanical and phytopharmacological properties of four ficus species trees of Nalpamaram.