Evaluation of the Characteristics of Native Wild Himalayan Fig (Ficus palmata Forsk.) from Pakistan as a Potential Species for Sustainable Fruit Production

Wild Himalayan figs (Ficus palmata Forsk.), native to East Asia and the Himalayan region, are closely related to the well-known cultivated fig (Ficus carica L.), which is grown mainly in the Mediterranean region. The Pakistani state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir has a rich variety of figs. However, no comprehensive study has been carried out to utilise the diversity of these wild figs for possible use in sustainable fruit production. Therefore, the present study was designed to assess the variability of 35 wild fig accessions using quantitative and qualitative traits. Descriptive statistics were used to measure quantitative characteristics, while the coefficient of variance (CV %) was analysed using SAS® version 9.1. A principal component analysis (PCA) and multivariate analysis were performed using R Studio (v1.1.4). Pearson correlation coefficients between characteristics were obtained using SPSS software. The studied accessions showed high variability and the coefficient of variation (CV) ranged from 4.46–14.81%. Days to maturity varied from 71 to 86, leaf area from 38.55 to 90.06 cm2. The fruit length, fruit diameter and fruit weight ranged from 11.25 to 29.85 mm, 11.85 to 27.49 mm and 2.65 to 9.66 g, respectively. The photosynthetic activity and total chlorophyll content also varied from 7.94 to 10.22 μmol CO2 m−2s−1 and 37.11 to 46.48 μgml−1. In most of the fig accessions studied, apical dominance was found to be ‘absent’ while fruit shape was observed to be ‘globular’. A strong correlation was observed between all the studied characteristics. In the PCA analysis, all 35 fig accessions were distributed in four quadrants and showed a great diversity. This could be a valuable gene pool for future breeding studies and provide improved quality varieties. Wild Himalayan figs from the wild are well adapted to local pedoclimatic conditions and, combined with easy propagation and production can contribute to the local economy and have a significant impact on the socio-economic and ecological balance. The results of this study show high variability in some of the studied traits of 35 accessions from different parts of Northeast Pakistan, indicating their good potential for further enhancement and utilisation in sustainable agricultural production.

Himalayan Ficus palmata L. Fruit Extract Showed In Vivo Central and Peripheral Analgesic Activity Involving COX-2 and Mu Opioid Receptors

Analgesic drugs like morphine and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs exhibit several harmful effects. Here, we show for the first time the analgesic activity of Ficus palmata L. fruit extract (FPFE) on different analgesic rat models along with the in silico studies of some of the main phytochemicals of this plant. We performed in vivo pain models, along with in silico docking studies against the active site of COX-2 protein and mu-opioid receptors. A significant (p < 0.05) analgesic effect of FPFE was observed, and it was found that rutin has good pose and score as compared to diclofenac and morphinan antagonist (X-ligand), and psoralen has binding affinity almost equal to diclofenac, but a lower binding affinity as compared to rutin. The results proved that F. palmata fruits have the potential to ameliorate painful conditions.

In-vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial activities of Murraya koiengii and Ficus palmata leaf extracts from North-western Himalayan Region

Plant based compounds are used as an alternate to chemically synthesized compounds in pharmaceutical industries. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the phytochemical, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of leaf extract of two medicinal plants i.e. Murraya koiengii and Ficus palmata collected from north-western Himalayan region. The phytochemical screening of these plant extract showed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, tannins, flavonoids and the absence of terpenoids and saponins. The qualitative data analysis confirmed the highest level of phytochemicals in Murraya koiengii plant extract as compared to Ficus palmata. The antioxidant results show the dose dependent manner. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of the extracts was found at concentration of 1.5625 mg/ml for Murraya koiengii and 3.125 mg/ml for Ficus palmata. The present study supports the use plant extracts as an alternative medicine in the ailment of many diseases.

Proteomic Analysis and In Vivo Studies Reveal the Potential Gastroprotective Effects of CHCl3 and Aqueous Extracts of Ficus palmata

Ficus palmata is rich in several phytochemicals such as chromone, isoflavones, terpenes, lignans, coumarins, glycosides, and furanocoumarins and have been traditionally used for the management of different gastrointestinal disorders. This research reveals the effects of Ficus palmata fruit extracts—Ficus palmata chloroform (Fp.CHCl3) and Ficus palmata aqueous (Fp.Aq)—on gut activity through in vivo and in vitro analyses. Antidiarrheal and enteropooling assays were analyzed with castor oil-induced diarrhea and intestinal fluid accumulation. Jejunum tissues of rabbits were isolated (antispasmodic) for in vitro experiments. Antimotility was carried out by charcoal meal for determining transient time, and ethanol-induced ulcer assay was used to measure the ulceration of stomach; molecular pathways were assessed through proteomic approach. Fp.CHCl3 and Fp.Aq extracts attributed dose-dependently protection against diarrhea, and intestinal fluid secretions were inhibited dose dependently. Extracts of Fp.CHCl3 and Fp.Aq produced reduction in spontaneous and K+ (at 80 Mm)-induced contractions in isolated jejunum tissues, along with the decreased length covered by charcoal in charcoal meal transient time activity. The extract exhibited gastroprotective outcome in rats and reduced tumor necrotic factor (TNF-α) levels and IL-18, measured by proteomic approach. Morphological studies’ results showed that ethanol induced significant gastritis, apoptosis, swelling of mucosa, and hydropic degeneration leading to cellular degeneration and necrosis, observed through staining techniques. Furthermore, ethanol activated the inflammation pathway in all gastric zones by elevating the levels of cyclooxygenase-2, TNF-α, and nuclear factor kappa light-chain enhancer of activated B-cells. Overall results expressed the antidiarrheal, antispasmodic, enteropooling, antimotility, and antiulcer activities of Ficus palmata fruit extract.

Evaluation of Anticipated Performance Index of Plant Species for Green Belt Development to Mitigate Air Pollution

Anticipated Performance Index (API) is an innovative ecological approach in selecting plant species for reducing air pollution, using Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) and socio-economic parameters. The present study evaluated API of 11 plant species (6 trees and 5 shrubs) for the recommendation of green belt establishment near the national highway expansion region of the Kiratpur-Nerchowk expressway. The scrutiny of the results revealed that the tolerance capacity of plant species along with their performance grade is a justified approach for selecting the most suitable plant species, which can act as sink for air pollution. API on the other hand, can also help to distinguish the sensitive plant species, which can act as bio-monitors. The results showed that among all plant species Leucaena leucocephala and Toona ciliata (API=5) qualify as ‘very good’ performers in green belt development, while Dalbergia sisso (API=4) is a ‘good’ performer. Grewia optiva and Ficus palmata were judged as ‘moderate’ performers (API=3). Whereas, all other remaining investigated trees and shrubs having lesser API values can act as bio-indicators and particularly are very less recommended for green belt establishment. Hence, on the basis of amalgamation of APTI values together with other socio-economic and biological parameters, API significantly is considered as one of the best approaches identified and recommended for long-term refinement of air quality.

Synthesis of zinc oxide and silver nanoparticles using ficus palmata - Forssk leaf extracts and assessment of antibacterial activity

Multidrug resistance of bacteria is an emerging human health hazard and warrants development of novel antibacterial agents with more effective mode of action. Here, zinc oxide and silver nanomaterials were prepared using Ficus palmata Forssk leaf extract with efficient antibacterial activity. SEM coupled with EDS confirmed the spherical symmetry with average particle diameter 50 to 65 nm while the XRD confirmed crystalline face centered cubic structure of silver and hexagonal crystallize phase of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Antibacterial activity was evaluated for 8 pathogenic bacterial strains including 3 drug resistant pathogenic strains. The nanoparticles showed enhanced growth inhibition for resistant strains in comparison with the broad-spectrum antibiotics i.e. roxithromycin and cefixime. Minimum inhibitory concentration in μg.mL^-1 of silver nanoparticles was found to be as low as 33.3 for resistant Streptococcus haemolyticus; 11.1 for Staphylococcus aureus and E Coli; and 3.7 μg.mL^-1 for resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Similarly, the minimum inhibitory concentration of zinc oxide nanoparticles was found to be 100 μg.mL^-1 against resistant Streptococcus haemolyticus and Staphylococcus aureus; 11.1 μg.mL^-1 for resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa; and 3.7 μg.mL^-1 against resistant E coli. Ficus palmata Forssk leaf extracts can be explored effectively for synthesizing active antibacterial nanomaterials as a non-toxic and environmentally benign synthesis route.

Ficus palmata Forskål (beles adgi) as a source of milk clotting agent: a preliminary research

Objective The demand for cheese, the insufficient supply and high cost of rennet, and the ethical issues of harvesting rennet oblige us to search for suitable alternatives of finding new proteases from plants. Ficus palmata Forskål (Moraceae) is one of the plants producing a protease called ficin that coagulates fresh milk. This study aims to study the milk coagulating abilities of bark, leaf, and stem powders of F. palmata Forskål. Results Stem powder has yielded better results. Chemical analyses of the powders have revealed that the percentage of crude protein of leaf, bark, and stem powders were 4.17, 7.39, and 16.26. This is an indication of the suitability of stem biomass as source of the enzyme of interest. Further research needs to aim at qualitative and quantitative analyses of milk-coagulating enzymes of F. palmata Forskål stem biomass to get new insights into industrial extraction of the enzymes of interest.