Phytochemistry, biological activities, industrial and traditional uses of fig (Ficus carica): A review

Abstract

This review describes the traditional and industrial use of fig (Ficus carica) in medicine as remedies for health problems and its biological activities. It describes various ways of traditional use to treat various ailments like, inflammation, gastric problems and cancer. Phytochemical studies on fruits and leaves of fig plant have explored that they are rich in phenolics, organic acids and volatile compounds. Owing to rich and diversified presence of biologically active compounds, they possess various biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, antifungal, antiviral, antimutagenic, antipyretic, antituberculosis, anti-angiogenic, antiparisitic, hematostatis, anticonstipation and antiwarts activities.

Keywords: Biological activities; Ficus carica; Phytochemistry.