A critical review of antioxidant potential and pharmacological applications of important Ficus species

Abstract

The Ficus genus is universally recognized for its medicinal properties. This article aims to comprehensively review the antioxidant potential and pharmacological properties of some key Ficus species within the genus, regarding their natural antioxidants and pharmacological properties. An extensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases using keywords such as Ficus species, antioxidant activity, and pharmacological applications. This review revealed notable differences in antioxidant capacity among the selected Ficus species. Comparative studies within the review indicated that factors such as geographical location, extraction method, and specific part of the plant used, significantly influenced the antioxidant activity and phytochemical content. Among these, F. benghalensis, F. carica, and F. krishnae exhibited the highest antioxidant capacities. Regarding overall pharmacological effectiveness, the species that out were F. religiosa, F. carica, and F. elastica. In sum, Ficus species emerge as a promising source of natural antioxidants with substantial pharmacological potential. Future research should focus on clinical trials to validate their medicinal uses, exploring the mechanism of actions, and potential applications in developing novel therapeutic agents.