Bioactive Compounds, Pharmacological Activity and Food Application of Ficus racemosa: A Critical Review

Abstract

Ficus racemosa
Linn. (Moraceae) is a popular medicinal plant found throughout India, which has long been used in Ayurveda as a source of medicine for curing various diseases/disorders including diabetes, liver disorders, diarrhea, inflammatory conditions, hemorrhoids, respiratory and urinary diseases. It is commonly known as “Gular” in India and widely distributed throughout the world. The different parts of the plant have numerous phytochemical compounds (alkaloids, tannins, saponins, β-sitosterol, lupeol and other compounds) and it possesses numerous therapeutic properties. Despite various pharmacological properties possessed by the plant, it remains underutilized because of its limited availability, i.e., found at limited places and for a limited time period. However, to date, no scientific report has witnessed its effective utilization in the food and feed industry. Therefore, an attempt has been made to explore F. racemosa in terms of its composition, health benefits, value addition and future perspective so that its future can be enlightened.

Full text

Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at
https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=wsfr20
International Journal of Fruit Science
ISSN: (Print) (Online) Journal homepage: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/wsfr20
Bioactive Compounds, Pharmacological Activity
and Food Application of Ficus racemosa: A Critical
Review
Gitesh Kishor Chaware , Vikas Kumar , Satish Kumar & Pankaj Kumar
To cite this article: Gitesh Kishor Chaware , Vikas Kumar , Satish Kumar & Pankaj Kumar (2020):
Bioactive Compounds, Pharmacological Activity and Food Application of Ficus�racemosa: A Critical
Review, International Journal of Fruit Science
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/15538362.2020.1774467
Published online: 09 Jun 2020.
Submit your article to this journal
View related articles
View Crossmark data

Bioactive Compounds, Pharmacological Activity and Food
Application of Ficus racemosa: A Critical Review
Gitesh Kishor Chaware
a
, Vikas Kumar
b
, Satish Kumar
a
, and Pankaj Kumar
c
a
Food Technology and Nutrition, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara,
India;
b
Department of Food Science and Technology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana,
India;
c
SERB- National Post-Doctoral Fellow (DST New Delhi), CSIR - Institute of Himalayan
Bioresource Technology, Palampur, India
ABSTRACT
Ficus racemosa: Linn. (Moraceae) is a popular medicinal plant
found throughout India, which has long been used in Ayurveda
as a source of medicine for curing various diseases/disorders
including diabetes, liver disorders, diarrhea, inammatory con-
ditions, hemorrhoids, respiratory and urinary diseases. It is com-
monly known as “Gular” in India and widely distributed
throughout the world. The dierent parts of the plant have
numerous phytochemical compounds (alkaloids, tannins, sapo-
nins, β-sitosterol, lupeol and other compounds) and it possesses
numerous therapeutic properties. Despite various pharmacolo-
gical properties possessed by the plant, it remains underutilized
because of its limited availability, i.e., found at limited places
and for a limited time period. However, to date, no scientic
report has witnessed its eective utilization in the food and feed
industry. Therefore, an attempt has been made to explore
F. racemosa in terms of its composition, health benets, value
addition and future perspective so that its future can be
enlightened.
KEYWORDS
Ficus racemosa;
phytochemicals;
pharmacological profile;
therapeutic properties;
traditional uses; toxicology
Introduction
Medicinal plants are an important therapeutic agent for eliminating health-
related risks of human being and its witness has been given by their presence
in Rigveda and Ayurveda. The rate of prevalence of diseases, as well as
discomfort, has increased in the recent era. This situation has to lead the
researchers to explore different medicinal as well as herbal plants to eliminate
this problem. As per the reports presented by WHO, 80% of the population all
over the world implement remedial herbs to heal diseases as the most impor-
tant therapy at a basic stage (Akerele, 1993). The use of these medicinal plants
having disease curing activity has been widely proposed in most developing
countries, on a normal basis these plant sources act as a remedy for health
benefits (UNESCO, 1996; Salehi et al., 2018a, 2018b; Sharifi-Rad et al., 2018a).
Nowadays, an increasing trend for the utilization of medicinal plants in the
CONTACT Vikas Kumar vkchoprafst@rediffmail.com Department of Food Science and Technology, Punjab
Agricultural University Ludhiana, Punjab 141004, India
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FRUIT SCIENCE
https://doi.org/10.1080/15538362.2020.1774467
© 2020 Taylor & Francis

industrial sector has been seen in the different sectors such as extraction and
development of several drugs having disease curing as well as biological
properties (Sharifi-Rad et al., 2018b; UNESCO, 1998).
Among all the medicinal plants, F. racemosa Linn. (Moraceae) is one of
them which is a member of Fig family generally known as Gular in India which
is widely distributed throughout India (Himalayan ranges from Punjab,
Khasia mountain, Maharashtra, Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal, Rajasthan,
Deccan and South India) and world (Australia, Malaysia, Burma, China,
Indonesia); and is known by different names.
Traditionally the crop is being utilized as fodder for feeding the animals,
food (as fermented and non-fermented products), as well as ceremonial
application. All parts of this plant (leaves, fruits, bark, latex, and sap of the
root) have medicinal as well as therapeutic importance in the traditional
system of medicine in India for curing piles, dysentery, asthma, gonorrhea
accompanied by gleet, menorrhagia, leucorrhea, hemoptysis and urinary dis-
eases (Swain, 1990). Recently, these different parts have been explored by
various researchers for their different biological functions/activities such as
hepatoprotective, chemopreventive, antidiabetic, antipyretic, antitussive and
antidiuretic activity (Rao et al., 2002).
Despite the numerous health benefits possessed by the plant, the
crop remains underutilized because of its limited availability in
a limited time period. Moreover, the presence of fig wasp present
inside the fruit is another obstacle for its utilization. Therefore, the
present review has been prepared to explore the utilization, phyto-
chemical constituents, traditional uses, and pharmacological activities
of F. racemosa, with the aim to attract readers, researchers and indus-
trialists for its effective utilization.
Proximate composition of F. racemosa fruit
The fruit, bark, roots, and latex of F. racemosa possess a number of phyto-
chemical, physicochemical compounds along with minerals (Ca, K, Mg, P, Fe).
The fruit and bark of trees contain a sufficient amount of nutrients (crude
protein, total lipids, crude fat, sugars, and starch). The leaves of F. racemosa
are rich in reducing sugars, polyphenols and minerals. The fruit contains
digestible carbohydrates and yields a high-energy value along with phytother-
apeutic constituents (Singh et al., 2013). The detail of these phytochemicals
(Figure 1) along with their pharmacological activity has been presented in
(Tables 1 and 2). Thus, it can be concluded that these physicochemicals and
phytochemicals are obtained from different extracts of F. racemosa which is
useful for further studies of pharmacological parameters. A detailed study in
this regard must be done for further isolation leading to the extraction of pure
compounds.
2G. K. CHAWARE ET AL.

Phytochemical potential of dierent parts of F. racemosa
The different parts of F. racemosa possess various potential phytochem-
icals such as the roots of this plant constitute cycloartenol, euphorbol,
and its hexacosanoate, taraxerone, tinyatoxin, flavonoids, tannins,
saponins, alkaloids (Sharma and Gupta, 2008; Murti and Kumar,
2011; Goyal, 2012); stem consists of campesterol, hentriacontane, hen-
triacontanol, kaempferol, stigmasterol, methyl ellagic acid, lupeol
a . Alkaloids b . α- Amyrin c. β- Sitosterol
d . Bergapten e . Euphol f . Cycloartenol
g . Ficusin h. Flavonoid i. Glycosides
j. Kempherol k . Lupeol acetate l. Phenols
m. Psoralen n. Quercetin o . Rutin
p. Racemosic Acid q. Sterols r. Stigmasterol
Figure 1. Phytochemicals of F. racemosa.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FRUIT SCIENCE 3

acetate, β-sitosterol, lupeol, α-amyrin acetate, glauanol acetate (Joy
et al., 2001; Paarakh, 2009; Joseph and Raj, 2010b; Babu et al., 2010)
and leaves consist of tetra triterpene, glauanolacetate, racemosic acid,
alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins (Patil
et al., 2010). Moreover, the fruit and latex of F. racemosa are also
Table 1. Phytochemical and Pharmacological potential of different parts of F. racemosa.
Plant
Part Phytochemicals Pharmacological Activity References
Root ●Cycloartenol,
●Euphorbol
●Taraxerone
●Tinyatoxin
●Flavanoids
●Tannins
●Saponins
●Alkaloids
●Steroids
●These exhibits anti-analgesic, anti-
diuretic, anti-hydrophobic, anti-
Microbial, anti-oxidant activity.
●It also possesses wound healing
property.
(Fawzy et al., 2008); (Dreosti, 2000);
(Raju and Balaraman, 2008);
(Punitha et al., 2005); (Varma et al.,
2009); (Sharma and Gupta, 2008);
(Murti and Kumar, 2011); (Goyal,
2012)
Stem ●Campesterol
●Hentriacontane
●Hentriacontanol
●Kaempferol
●Stigmasterol
●Methyl ellagic acid
●Lupeolacetate
●β-Sitosterol
●α-Amyrin acetate
●Glauanol acetate
●These phytochemicals show evi-
dence of activities like anti-
inflammatory, hypoglycemic, anti-
diarrheal, anti-ulcerative, anti-
asthmatic, antipyretic and wound
healing.
(Paarakh, 2009); (Joy et al., 2001);
(Joseph and Raj, 2010a); (Warrier,
1996), (Babu et al., 2010)
Leaves ●Tetra triterpene
●Glauanolacetate
●Racemosic acid
●Alkaloids
●Glycosides
●Flavonoids
●Phenolic compound
●Tannins.
●These have been reported to show
anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-
inflammatory and wound healing
properties.
(Patil et al., 2010); (Paarakh, 2009);
(Kirtikar and Basu, 1975)
Fruit ●Glauanol
●Hentriacontane
●β sitosterol,
●Glauanolacetate
●Tiglic acid
●Esters of Taraxasterol
●Lupeolacetate
●Friedelin
●Phytosterol
●Tannins
●Steroids
●Flavonoids
●Alkaloids
●The phytochemicals present in the
fruit of F. racemosa exhibit hypo-
lipidemic, anti-diabetic, anti-
carcinogenic and anti-leucohorric
effect.
(Babu et al., 2010); (Asolkar and
Chopra, 1992), (Paarakh, 2009);
(Zulfiker et al., 2011)
Latex ●α-Amyrin
●β-Sitosterol
●Cycloartenol
●Cycloeuphordenol
●4-Deoxyphorbol and
its esters
●Euphorbinol
●Isoeuphorbol
●Palmitic acid
●Taraxerol
●Tinyatoxin,
●Trimethylellagic acid.
●These phytochemicals have been
reported to exhibit activities like
antipyretic, anti-inflammatory,
anti-microbial.
(Paarakh, 2009)
4G. K. CHAWARE ET AL.

rich in certain phytochemicals including glauanol, hentriacontane,
β-sitosterol, glauanolacetate, tiglic acid, esters of taraxasterol, lupeol
acetate, friedelin and α-amyrin, β-sitosterol, cycloartenol, cycloeuphor-
denol, 4-deoxyphorbol and its esters, euphol, euphorbinol, isoeuphor-
bol, palmitic acid, taraxerol, tinyatoxin, tri-methyl ellagic acid,
respectively (Babu et al., 2010). All these phytochemicals have been
reported to exhibit numerous pharmacological properties that are ben-
eficial for human health. A complete detail of the phytochemical and
pharmacological properties is given in Table 1.
Pharmacological prole and health benets of F. racemosa
Several studies have been conducted on animal strains by different
researchers in order to explore the pharmacological profile of
F. racemosa. It has been reported that the different parts of this plant
(roots, stem, stem bark, leaves, fruit, and latex), when treated with
chemical extracts, were known to exhibit biological activities like anti-
microbial (Goyal, 2012; Murti and Kumar, 2011), antioxidant (Sharma
and Gupta, 2008), anti-hyperglycemic (Ahmed and Urooj, 2009), hypo-
glycemic (Jahan et al., 2009), anti-inflammatory (Mandal et al., 2000a),
hepatoprotective (Ahmed and Urooj, 2009), hypolipidemic (Keshari
et al., 2016), anti-diabetic (Ahmed and Urooj, 2010), anti-microbial
(JagtapSupriya et al., 2012), anti-bacterial (Mandal et al., 2000), anti-
helminthic (Adsul and Patil, 2013), gastroprotective (Rao et al., 2008)
and wound healing (Murti and Kumar, 2012). Therefore, F. racemosa
possesses various health benefits owing to its pharmacological profile.
It protects against different types of cancers, cardiovascular diseases,
liver diseases, ulcers, microbial (bacterial, fungal, parasitic) infections,
diarrhea, inflammatory conditions, respiratory and urinary diseases.
According to research studies, it has been revealed that the bark of
F. racemosa possesses anti-dementia activity by enhancing the neuro-
transmitter levels in the body, i.e., acetylcholine. It also possesses the
potential to reduce toxicity caused in the body due to oxidative stress
as the plant exhibits antioxidant activity owing to the presence of
numerous phenolics compounds including quercetin, ellagic acid, gallic
acid and terpenoids (Yadav et al., 2015). Many researchers have con-
ducted in vitro research studies on different animals, bacterial and
fungal strains in order to reveal the bioactivity of the different parts
of F. racemosa. A detail of the complete pharmacological profile of
F. racemosa as explored by the different researchers has been presented
in Table 2.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FRUIT SCIENCE 5

Table 2. Pharmacological profile of F. racemosa.
Plant Part Extract Used Animal/Strain Used Administrative Dose and Method Bioactivity Key Findings Reference
Root 90% (v/v)
Ethanol
Wistar albino rats Ketamine injection (0.5 mL/kg b.
w. i.p.)
Wound Healing ●It was found that the aqueous extract
of F. racemosa shows better-wound
healing activity as compared to the
ethanol extract.
(Murti and
Kumar,
2012)
Ethanol
Extract
(10 lit × 3)
Klebsiella pneumonia,
Staphylococcus aureus and
Escherichia coli (in -vitro
models)
25, 50 and 75 mg/ml of Aqueous
and ethanol extract
Antimicrobial Activity ●The study revealed that the roots show
antimicrobial activity against S. aureus,
E. coli, and K. pneumonia.
(Murti and
Kumar,
2011)
Bacterial culture (E.
coli, Bacillus subtilis,
Pseudomonas aeroginosa
and Enterobacter cloacae),
Fungal culture (Penicillium
chrysogenum, Aspergillus niger,
Trichophyton rubrum and
Candida albicans
8, 6, 4 and 2 mg/disc of the test
extracts and
control streptomycin (for
bacteria) and
ketoconozole (for fungi) using
Disk Diffusion method
●The ethanolic extract exhibited good
activity against E. coli and E. cloacae,
moderate activity against the
P. aeroginosa, while trace activity was
observed against B. subtilis at all
concentrations.
(Goyal, 2012)
Ethyl acetate
extract
(400 ml)
In vitro Antioxidant model The method used was hot
continuous extraction method
using soxhlet apparatus.
Antioxidant activity ●The study reported that roots possess
antioxidant activity through the DPPH
radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl
radical scavenging activity, reducing
power, hydrogen peroxide scavenging
activity due to the presence of poly-
phenolic content.
(Sharma and
Gupta, 2008)
Stem Bark 70%(v/v) extract
of acetone
Male wistar rats (150–200 g) were
used for this investigation.
Oral administration of tannin
fraction (TF) (100 & 200 mg/kg
body weight) to rats fed with
high fat meal for 30 days (4%
cholesterol, 1% cholic acid,
0.5% egg albumin) and injected
with streptozotocin (35 mg/kg
i.p. in citrate buffer on
14th day).
Hyperglycemic activity,
Hypoglycemic
activity
●Two different doses of tannin supple-
mentation had a favorable effect on
plasma glucose and lipid profile
concentrations.
●It also shows an influence on attenuat-
ing oxidative stress in diabetic rats.
(Ravichandiran
et al., 2012)
(Continued)
6G. K. CHAWARE ET AL.

Table 2. (Continued).
Plant Part Extract Used Animal/Strain Used Administrative Dose and Method Bioactivity Key Findings Reference
Ethanol Extract In Vitro ATP Based Luminescence
assay
A panel of enzyme assays
including cyclooxygenase-1
(COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2
(COX-2), 5-lipoxygenase
(5-LOX) and phospholipase A
2
(PA
2
) were used for the in-vitro
study.
Anti-Inflammatory
activity
●The inhibitory effect of the F. racemosa
extract on the biosynthesis of PGE 2
and PGD 2 observed in COX-1 assay
with IC50 value of 83.1 µg/mL, whereas
COX-2 value show effect on IC50 value
of 8.4 µM.
●It identifies a new compound racemo-
sic acid that possesses inhibitory
activity against COX-1 and 5-LOX
in vitro with IC-50 values of 90 and
18 µM.
(Li et al., 2003)
Bark powder and
aqueous
extract
(12% w/w)
Healthy adult male Wistar rats
between eight and nine weeks
of age and weighing 140–160 g
Single intramuscular injection of
streptozotocin (55 mg/kg,
Sigma Aldrich, India) dissolved
in citrate buffer (0.1 M, pH 4.5)
after 24 h of fasting.
Anti-hyperglycemic,
hepatoprotective
and hypolipidemic
activity
●It was observed that the aqueous
extract was more effective than the
bark powder, indicating the role of
water-soluble phytoconstituents rather
than the plant fiber for the observed
biological effects.
(Ahmed and
Urooj, 2009)
Ethanol extract
(500 mg/kg)
Healthy strain of Wister albino rats
(150–250 g) and Swiss albino
mice (18–20 g) of either sex
were used as experimental
models for testing of activity.
The Wister rats were administered
with 5 % gum acacia,
petroleum ether, ethanolic,
hydro-alcoholic extracts (100,
300, 500 mg/kg) p.o
respectively. In Hot plate
method Swiss albino mice were
administrated withpetroleum
ether, ethanolic, hydro-
alcoholic extracts (100, 300,
500 mg/kg) p.o respectively.
Anti-inflammatory
activity
●The results showed that the stem bark
is useful in inflammatory and painful
conditions.
(Harer Sunil
and
HarerPriyanka,
2010)
Carbohydrate
hydrolyzing
enzyme
Male healthy rats of Wistar strain
140–160 g
The bark powder was subjected to
heat treatment in a vacuum
oven at 100°C for 60 min,
cooled in a desiccator, and used
for the preparation of emulsion.
Anti-diabetic activity ●It was reported that heat treatment
increased the inhibitory activity of
F. racemosa bark against phenolic
extract
●It could be used in the formulation of
functional foods for the effective man-
agement of diabetes.
(Ahmed and
Urooj, 2010)
(Continued)
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FRUIT SCIENCE 7

Table 2. (Continued).
Plant Part Extract Used Animal/Strain Used Administrative Dose and Method Bioactivity Key Findings Reference
Isolated
Flavonoids
Albino Wistar rats were kept in
standard temperature (25 ± 5°
C), relative humidity
(55 ± 10%).
The plant materials (2 kg stem
bark) were air-dried under
shade, powdered and defatted
with petroleum ether (60–80°C)
using Soxhlet apparatus by
successive solvent extraction
method
Anti-diabetic and
hypolipidemic
activity
●The results revealed anti-diabetic,
hypolipidemic and antioxidant proper-
ties in Streptozotocin (STZ) rats which
supported the use of F. racemosa stem
bark as a useful supplementary drug
for future anti-diabetic therapy.
(Keshari et al.,
2016)
Stem Dried extract of
phenolics
The stock of B. subtilis and
Enterobacter sp. strains were
taken out of −20° and revived
in LB medium. The culture was
incubated at 37°C overnight.
Dried leaf and bark samples
wereground into coarse
powder using a grinding
machine.
100 g of powdered plant
material was used
Anti-oxidant activity ●The results revealed that barks possess
high antioxidant activity. IC50 value of
bark extract was found to be 19 μg/ml
which is even better than of the stan-
dard BHT.
(Tariq et al.,
2013)
Ethanolic Extract The alloxan-induced rats with
blood glucose levels above
260 mg/dl were selected for the
experimental study.
Different doses of (100, 200, 300,
400 and 500 mg/kg.bw) FrEBet
were assessed to find out the
effective antidiabetic dose in
alloxan induced diabetic rats.
The antidiabetic effect was
assessed by giving the different
doses of extract (100 to
500 mg/kg.bw) daily for
45 days, to severely diabetic
rats [blood glucose 260 mg/dl
and urinary sugar (+++)] and
studied their effect on fasting
blood glucose and urine sugar.
Hypolipidemic and
anti-diabetic activity
●The results showed that it reduced the
blood sugar level (80%) and restored
the status of lipids and lipoproteins
(60–70%) near the normal range.
(Sophia and
Manoharan,
2007)
Methanol and
Petroleum
Ether extract
In vitro antimicrobial activity
tested against B. subtilis and
E. coli by cup plate diffusion
method
The sample was extracted by
using petroleum ether
(60–80° C) and methanol
(90–100C) under a rotary
vacuum evaporator.
Anti-microbial activity ●Methanolic extract shows good antimi-
crobial activity at a concentration of
100 mg/ml and it shows more potency
toward gram-positive bacteria.
(JagtapSupriya
et al., 2012)
(Continued)
8G. K. CHAWARE ET AL.

Table 2. (Continued).
Plant Part Extract Used Animal/Strain Used Administrative Dose and Method Bioactivity Key Findings Reference
Dichloromethane
and hexanes
Antibacterial assay was carried out
against Staphylococcus and
Bacillus species and antifungal
activity against Saccharomyces
spp. and C. albicans.
Stem bark extracts of F. racemosa
were evaluated using scratch
wound assay (SWA) on Baby
Hamster Kidney (BHK 21) and
Madin-Darby Canine Kidney
(MDCK) cell lines and Kirby
Bauer disc diffusion assay
Wound healing activity ●Suspensions of these cultures were
prepared in sterile distilled water hav-
ing predetermined cell densities mea-
sured as OD value.
●It shows enhancement of cell migra-
tion as well as anti-microbial activity,
this dual-action of F. racemosa stem
bark provides scientific support for its
traditional use in wound healing.
(Bopage et al.,
2018)
Leaves Powdered leaves
were extracted
with
petroleum
ether (B.P.
60–80°C) in
a soxhlet
extractor
Male albino Wister rats weighing
200–250 g were placed in cages
with wire-net floors in
a controlled room temperature
2292°C, relative humidity
60–70% and provided with
food and water ad libitum
a weighed amount of the dried
extract was suspended in a 2%
(w/v) aqueous Tween 80
solution.
Anti-inflammatory ●The extract efficiently suppressed the
inflammatory activity produced by
histamine and serotonin.
(Mandal et al.,
2000a)
Leaves were
powdered
(500 g) and
extracted
using
petroleum
ether
(60–80C)
Antibacterial potential against
E. coli
ATCC 10536, B. pumilis ATCC
14884, B. subtilis ATCC 6633,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
ATCC 25619 and S. aureus ATCC
29737
For evaluation of antibacterial
activity at
different concentrations (150,
200, 250, 300 and 350 mg/
mL) by using the filter paper
disc diffusion method
(Pelczar et al., 1993).
Anti-bacterial activity ●The results showing that extract of the
leaves of F. racemosa may contribute
to its use in the Indian traditional sys-
tem of medicine.
(Mandal et al.,
2000b)
Toluene and
Ethanol(10 µg/
ml)
The test organisms used were
E. coli (MTCC43), B. subtilis
(MTCC121), P. aeruginosa
(MTCC424), K. pneumonia
(MTCC432), S. aureus (MTCC96)
and Streptococcus mutans
(MTCC497)
Leaves (50 g) of F. racemosa Linn
was extracted using toluene
and ethanol separately in the
soxhlet extractor by not
exceeding the boiling point of
the solvent.
Anti-microbial activity ●The ethanol extract of F. racemosa
shows phytochemical compounds and
10 μg/mL of the extract shows good
antimicrobial activity.
(Danie Kingsley
et al., 2014)
(Continued)
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FRUIT SCIENCE 9

Table 2. (Continued).
Plant Part Extract Used Animal/Strain Used Administrative Dose and Method Bioactivity Key Findings Reference
Hydro-alcoholic
extracts (50%
v/v)
Bacterial test organisms used
were E. coli, K. pneumoniae,
Lactococcus sp., and S. pyogenes
and the fungal test organisms
used for study were C. albicans,
A. niger
and S. Cerevisae
The hydro-alcoholic extracts (50%
v/v) were prepared according
to a cold percolation method
Anti-microbial activity ●The leaves extract showed no effect
against K. pneumoniae, S. pyogenes,
and S. cerevisae.
(Mathur et al.,
2011)
Chloroform
extract
Swiss albino mice of either sex,
average weight 20–25 g were
used for experiments.
100 gm of dried coarse powdered
leaves were charged in to the
soxhlet’s apparatus (hot
extraction) and extracted
successively with chloroform
Analgesic activity ●A dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg showed
significant analgesic activity as com-
pared to the control group.
(Rai et al.,
2013)
Ethanolic extract Female albino mice were used to
carry out the experiment
Ethanolic extract of plant material
was prepared using a soxhlet
extractor. Aqueous extract was
prepared freshly. The extract
was evaporated and the
powder was stored in a sterile
container until use.
Anti-oxidant activity ●The results show that the ethanolic
extract of F. racemosa is a better sca-
venger for NO and SO radicals than
DPPH radical.
(Khan et al.,
2017)
Dried powder
(50C) and
hydro alcoholic
extract
Extract was
screened against bacteria i.e.
Actinomyces viscosus
Leaves of F. racemosa were
prepared and dried at 50°C. The
the coarse powder was
extracted using
hydroalcohoic (methanol:
water) in soxhlet apparatus.
Antibacterial activity ●The hydroalcoholic extract of
F. racemosa was found effective
against A. vicosus (MTCC 7345).
(Shaikh et al.,
2010)
Fruits 95% ethanol Young Swiss-albino mice of either
sex aged 4–5 weeks, average
weight 20–25 gm were used for
the experiment.
F. racemosa were extracted in 95%
ethanol to evaluate for centrally
acting analgesic potential using
hot plate method and
peripheral pharmacological
actions using acetic acid-
induced writhing test in mice.
Analgesic activity ●F. racemosa fruit show central and per-
ipheral analgesic properties.
(Zulfiker et al.,
2010)
(Continued)
10 G. K. CHAWARE ET AL.

Table 2. (Continued).
Plant Part Extract Used Animal/Strain Used Administrative Dose and Method Bioactivity Key Findings Reference
50% Ethanol Sprague Dauley rats of either sex
weighing 200–250 g were used.
Animals were kept under
standard laboratory conditions
at 25 °± 2°C, 50 ± 15% RH and
normal
photoperiod (12 h dark/12 h
light).
Air-dried powdered fruits of
F. racemosa (1000 g) were
powdered and
exhaustively extracted by
overnight maceration with 10
volumes of 50%
ethanol and centrifugation at
10,000 rev/min. The extract was
separated by
filtration and concentrated on
Rota vapor (Buchi, USA) and
then dried in
lyophilizer
Anti-oxidant activity ●Ethanolic extracts of F. racemosa pos-
sess high phenolics content and anti-
oxidant activity.
(Ramana et al.,
2011)
Methanolic
Extract
Antibacterial activity against all
the tested four Gram negative
and Gram positive bacteria:
S. aureus, B. subtilis, Vibrio
cholera, B. cereus, S. typhi,
Shigella dysenteriae,
P. aeruginosa, Klebsiella species
and Proteus species as well four
fungi: Alternaria spp.,
Colletotrichum spp., Curvularia
spp. and Fusarium spp.
The dried samples were ground to
a coarse powder with
a mechanical grinder and
extracted with methanol for
7 days with occasional shaking
in a beaker. The antimicrobial
activity was measured using
disk diffusion method
Antimicrobial activity ●The result shows highest inhibition at
a concentration of 200 μg/disc for
S. aureus (18 mm) and in the concen-
tration of 150 μg/disc for Fusarium spp.
(12 mm).
(Hossain et al.,
2014)
50% Ethanolic
extract
Sprague–Dawley rats (140–180 g)
were procuredwith rodent
pellet dietand the food was
withdrawn 18–24 h before the
experiment though water was
allowed ad libitum.
Air-dried powdered fruit of
F. glomerata (1000 g) was
exhaustively extracted with
50% ethanol (3 × 10 L) and
concentrated under reduced
pressure to yield 7.25% w/w
(FGE).
Gastroprotective
activity
●HPTLC analysis shows gastroprotecti-
veactivity which might be due to gas-
tric defense factors and phenolics.
(Rao et al.,
2008)
(Continued)
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FRUIT SCIENCE 11

Table 2. (Continued).
Plant Part Extract Used Animal/Strain Used Administrative Dose and Method Bioactivity Key Findings Reference
Aqueous (80%)
EtOH extract
Male long Evans rats weighing
180–200 g fasted for 18 h
were injected Streptozotocin
intraperitoneally
F. racemosa L. (70 kg) were sliced
and dried at 40_C in an electric
oven and then
grounded into powder.
Powdered material (6 kg) was
soaked into aqueous (80%)
EtOH
400 I.A.
Hypoglycemic
and antioxidant
activity
●The extract FR-p also showed 60%
DPPH scavenging activity and its
1-BuOH soluble part showed an 80%
inhibition activity.
(Jahan et al.,
2009)
Hydro-alcoholic
Extract
The media used for the test was
Nutrient agar/broth and
Sabouraud’s dextrose agar/
broth
The hydro-alcoholic extracts (50%
v/v) were prepared according
to cold percolation method.
Anti-microbial activity ●The plant showed maximum potency
against E. coli at MIC value 0.6 mg/ml
while moderate activity against
Lactococcus sp. and minimum activity
against A. niger.
(Mathur et al.,
2011)
Latex Metronidazole
(10 mg/ml),
Vidangasav as
a reference
standard
Adult Indian earthworms
Pheritima posthuma was used
in the present study due to its
anatomical and physiological
resemblance with the intestinal
roundworm parasites of human
beings.
Metronidazole (10 mg/ml),
Vidangasav was used as
a reference standard and
distilled water as a control
group.
Antihelmintic activity ●The antihelmintic activity of
F. racemosa was tested against Indian
earthworm and showed less death rate
with latex.
(Adsul and
Patil, 2013)
12 G. K. CHAWARE ET AL.

Traditional and modern uses of F. racemosa
F. racemosa has numerous traditional applications in curing diseases like bilious
infection, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, hemoptysis, visceral obstruction, diar-
rhea, constipation, leprosy, diabetes, uropathy, cholera, mumps, gonorrhea and
many more. In the traditional system, the parts of this plant can be used
internally as well as externally. As per the literature, all the parts of this plant
are useful and have an excellent medicinal value which can benefit the human in
various possible ways (Table 3). However, still it is unexplored and not that
much research has been carried out for its efficient utilization. Different ranges
of the products, i.e., fermented and non-fermented food products can be pre-
pared using F. racemosa fruit (Figure 2). In fermented food products, it can be
utilized for the production of wine and vinegar whereas in non-fermented food
products, it can be used in its raw form or dried form. A complete detail of the
future prospects of F. racemosa is presented in Figure 2.
Toxicology of F. racemosa
Very few studies have been carried out regarding the study of the toxicity
of this plant. However, one study has been performed in order to
Table 3. Traditional utilization of F. racemosa.
Plant Part Traditional Disease Curing Applications References
Leaves ●Mixture of leaves and honey is used to cure bilious
infection.
●Decoction of leaves is used to cure dysmenorrhea.
●Leaf juice massaged on hair to prevent splitting.
●Leaf latex is used to prevent boils, blisters, and measles.
(Kirtikar and Basu, 1975); (Siwakoti and
Siwakoti, 2000)
Fruits ●Act as a stimulant tonic for the proper functioning of
the stomach.
●Fruit juice is used for the treatment of menorrhagia and
hemoptysis.
●Act as a remedy for visceral obstruction, diarrhea, and
constipation.
●Curing agent for leprosy and diabetes.
(Chopra et al., 1958); (Vihari, 1995)
Bark ●Infusion of bark is used in mouth wash of spongy gum
condition, dysentery, and menorrhea.
●Decoction of bark is used in the washing of wounds,
burns, asthma and piles and swelling.
●It has also great importance in uropathy to prevent
various urinary tract diseases.
(Chopra et al., 1958); (Kirtikar and Basu,
1975); (Paudyal, 2000); (Tiwari, 2001)
Latex ●It is used in the preparation of aphrodisiac drugs to
boost fertility system.
●It acts as a curing agent in the stomach, cholera, and
mumps.
●It is used in the treatment of the skeletal fracture.
●It is also used as adhesive for many purposes.
(Yadav, 1999); (Ghimire et al., 2000);
(Ekanayake, 1980); (Bheemachari
et al., 2007); (Dangol, 2002).
Sap of
Root
●Sap of root is used in the treatment of gonorrhea and
diabetes.
●Root sap is also used to prevent muscle pain, headache,
heat stroke, chronic wounds, and malaria in cattle.
(Chopra et al., 1958); (Thapa, 2001)
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FRUIT SCIENCE 13

determine the effect of F. racemosa on human physiology. Different para-
meters including hemoglobin, red blood cell count, white blood cell count,
urea, glucose, creatinine, cholesterol, and serum glutamate pyruvate trans-
aminase were determined and it was found that the aqueous extract of
F. racemosa bark was safe up to a certain limit but after that, it produced
an abnormal effect on the liver as well as kidney (Jaykaran et al., 2009;
Panwar et al., 2010; Yadav et al., 2015). As very few studies have been
conducted about the toxicity; therefore, it emphasizes the need for further
research regarding this aspect.
Conclusion and future perspective
Different parts of F. racemosa comprise a number of phytochemicals
that possess numerous biological activities and health benefits. In the
present review, authors have tried to review the diversity, phytochem-
ical and therapeutic potential, pharmacological profile, traditional uses
and toxicology of this plant. But the utilization of fruits of F. racemosa
is being neglected by the researchers, processors, and industrialists
besides its high potential. It is because of its limited availability at
fewer places and ultimately remains underutilized. Therefore, the
need of the present era is to explore F. racemosa for its further
utilization in the food industry, which is quite possible with the scien-
tific intervention to make it available throughout the year and different
places. The review at hand aims to attract processors and researchers
for its value addition, which may enhance the socio-economic status of
the folk.
Figure 2. Modern utilization of F. racemosa.
14 G. K. CHAWARE ET AL.

Acknowledgments
The authors are highly grateful to School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University
Phagwara, Punjab, India for providing financial assistance and infrastructure for preparation
of this review.
Authors’ Contributions
GKC and VK carried out a major part of the literature review, drafted the manuscript and are
equally first author. SK and PK co-authored, supervised the manuscript preparation and helped
to finalize the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
References
Adsul, S.R., and H. Patil. 2013. Comparative in-Vitro anthelmintic activity of the latex of
Carica, Ficus racemosa and Ficus relogiosa. IJPRBS 2(2):16–23.
Ahmed, F., and A. Urooj. 2009. Glucose-lowering, hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic activ-
ities of stem bark of Ficus racemosa in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. J.Young Pharm.
1(2):160. doi: 10.4103/0975-1483.55749.
Ahmed, F., and A. Urooj. 2010. Traditional uses, medicinal properties, and phytopharmacol-
ogy of Ficus racemosa: A review. Pharm. Biol. 48(6):672–681. doi: 10.3109/
13880200903241861.
Akerele O. 1993. Nature's medicinal bounty: don't throw it away. World Health Forum. 14
(4):390-395.
Asolkar, L.V., and R.N. Chopra, 1992. Second supplement to glossary of Indian medicinal plants
with active principles. Publications & Information Directorate.
Babu, K., G.S. Sabesan, and S. Rai. 2010. Comparative pharmacognostic studies on the barks of
four Ficus species. Turk. J. Bot. 34(3):215–224.
Bheemachari, J., K. Ashok, N.H. Joshi, D.K. Suresh, and V.R.M. Gupta. 2007. Antidiarrheal
evaluation of Ficus racemosa Linn.latex. Acta Pharm. Sci. 49:133–138.
Bopage, N.S., G.K.B. Gunaherath, K.H. Jayawardena, S.C. Wijeyaratne, A.M. Abeysekera, and
S. Somaratne. 2018. Dual function of active constituents from bark of Ficus racemosa L in
wound healing. BMC Complement Altern Med 18(1):29. doi: 10.1186/s12906-018-2089-9.
Chopra, R.N., I.C. Chopra, K.L. Handa, and L.D. Kapur. 1958. Indigenous drugs of India.
Second. Academic Publishers, Calcutta, India. p. 508–674.
Dangol, N. 2002. Documentation of the ethnobotanical knowledge of the Kumal Community
of Chitwan District, p. 99. Central Nepal. Kathmandu, Central Department of Botany,
Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Central Nepal.
Danie Kingsley, J., R. PrashantManikTirkey, and J. Abraham. 2014. Evaluation of antimicrobial
activity of Ficus racemosa Linn leaves extract. Int. J. Pharm Technol. 6: 6310–6317.
Dreosti, I.E. 2000. Antioxidant polyphenols in tea, cocoa, and wine. Nutrition 16(7):692–694.
doi: 10.1016/S0899-9007(00)00304-X.
Ekanayake, D.T. 1980. Indigenous system of medicine in Sri Lanka for the treatment of skeletal
fracture. Sri Lanka Forest 14:145–152.
Fawzy, G.A., H.M. Abdallah, M.S. Marzouk, F.M. Soliman, and A.A. Sleem. 2008. Antidiabetic
and antioxidant activities of major flavonoids of Cynan chumacutum L. (Asclepiadaceae)
growing in Egypt. Z. Naturforsch. C. 63(9–10):658–662. doi: 10.1515/znc-2008-9-1008.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FRUIT SCIENCE 15

Ghimire, S.K., A.K. Shrestha, K.K. Shrestha, and P.K. Jha. 2000. Plant resource use and human
impact around RBNP, Nepal. J. Nat. History Museum. 19:3–26.
Goyal, P.K. 2012. Antimicrobial activity of ethanolic root extract of Ficus racemosa Linn. Int.
J. Chem. Tech. Res. 4(4):1765–1769.
Harer Sunil, L., and S. HarerPriyanka. 2010. Evaluation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory
activity of Ficus racemosa Linn. stem bark extract in rats and mice. J. Pharmacogn. 2(6):65-
70.
Hossain, M.S., M.A. Sayeed, and M.N. Uddin. 2014. In-vitro antimicrobial activity of metha-
nolic extract of Ficus racemosa Linn.fruits. Int. J. Sci. Innov. Res. 3(4):446–449.
JagtapSupriya, G., S. ShelarRohan, M. MunotNeha, R. GhanteMinal, and D. Sawant Sanjay.
2012. Antimicrobial activity of Ficus glomerata Linn bark. Int. Res. J. Pharm. 3(5):281–284.
Jahan, I.A., N. Nahar, M. Mosihuzzaman, B. Rokeya, L. Ali, A.K. Azad Khan, T. Makhmur, and
M. IqbalChoudhary. 2009. Hypoglycaemic and antioxidant activities of Ficus racemosa Linn.
fruits. Nat. Prod. Res. 23(4):399–408. doi: 10.1080/14786410802230757.
Jaykaran, B.P., Kantharia, N., Yadav, P. and Panwar, A. 2009. Acute toxicity study of an
aqueous extract of Ficus racemosa Linn. bark in albino mice. The Internet Journal of
Toxicology, 6(1). doi: 10.5580/1094
Joseph, B., and S.J. Raj. 2010a. Phytopharmacological and phytochemical properties of three
Ficus species-an overview. Int. J. Pharma. Bio. Sci. 1(4):246–253.
Joseph, B., and S.J. Raj. 2010b. Phytopharmacological properties of Ficus racemosa Linn-An
overview. Int. J. Pharm Sci. Rev. Res. 3(2):134–138.
Joy, P.P., J. Thomas, S. Mathew, and B.P. Skaria. 2001. Medicinal plants, p. 123–125. In: T.
K. Bose, J. Kabir, P. Das, and P.P. Joy (eds.). Tropical horticulture. Naya Udyog, Calcutta,
India.
Keshari, A.K., G. Kumar, P.S. Kushwaha, M. Bhardwaj, P. Kumar, A. Rawat, D. Kumar,
A. Prakash, B. Ghosh, and S. Saha. 2016. Isolated flavonoids from Ficus racemosa stem
bark possess antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and protective effects in albino Wistar rats.
J. Ethnopharmacol. 181:252–262. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.02.004.
Khan, A., V. Anand, V. Badrinarayanan, K. Thirunethiran, and P. Natarajan. 2017. In vitro
antioxidant and cytotoxicity analysis of leaves of Ficus racemosa. Free Rad. Antiox. 7
(1):8–12. doi: 10.5530/fra.2017.1.2.
Kirtikar, K.R., and B.D. Basu. 1975. Indian medicinal plants. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh,
Dehra Dun, India.
Li, R.W., S.P. Myers, D.N. Leach, G.D. Lin, and G. Leach. 2003. A cross-cultural study:
Anti-inflammatory activity of Australian and Chinese plants. J. Ethnopharmacol. 85
(1):25–32. doi: 10.1016/S0378-8741(02)00336-7.
Mandal, S.C., B.P. Saha, and M. Pal. 2000b. Studies on antibacterial activity of Ficus racemosa
Linn.leaf extract. Phytother. Res. 14(4):278–280. doi: 10.1002/1099-1573(200006)14:4<278::
AID-PTR592>3.0.CO;2-7.
Mandal, S.C., T.K. Maity, J. Das, B.P. Saba, and M. Pal. 2000a. Anti-inflammatory evaluation
of Ficus racemosa Linn.leaf extract. J. Ethnopharmacol. 72(1–2):87–92. doi: 10.1016/
S0378-8741(00)00210-5.
Mathur, A., G.K. Singh, S.K. Verma, S. Yousuf, A. Bhardwaj, S.K. Singh, G.B.K.S. Prasad, and
V.K. Dua. 2011. Phytochemical investigation and in vitro antimicrobial activity of different
parts of Ficus racemosa L. Der. Pharmacia. Sinica 2(2):270–275.
Murti, K., and U. Kumar. 2011. Antimicrobial activity of Ficus benghalensis and Ficus racemosa
roots L. Am. J. Microbiol. 2(1):21–24.
Murti, K., and U. Kumar. 2012. Enhancement of wound healing with roots of Ficus racemosa
L. in albino rats. Asian Pac. J. Trop. Biomed. 2(4):276. doi: 10.1016/S2221-1691(12)60022-7.
Paarakh, P.M. 2009. Ficus racemosa Linn.–an overview. IJNPR 8(1):84–90.
16 G. K. CHAWARE ET AL.

Panwar, A., N.J. Chavda, M. Saurabh, and P. Yadav. 2010. Subacute toxicity study of an
aqueous extract of Ficus racemosa Linn.bark in rats. J. Pharma. Res. 3:814–817.
Patil, V.V., N.G. Sutar, R.B. Pimprikar, A.P. Patil, R.Y. Chaudhari, and V.R. Patil. 2010.
Antihyperglycemic and Hypoglycemic Effect of Ficus racemosa Leaves. J. Nat. Remedies.
10(1):1–16.
Paudyal, S. 2000. Ethnobotanical study of the Tharus living in Central Part of Dang, Midwest
Nepal. Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal, 154.
Pelczar, M.J., Chan E.C.S. and Krieg N.R. 1993. Microbiology: Concepts and Application.
MacGrawHill Inc. New York. p. 967..
Punitha, I.S.R., A. Shirwaikar, and A. Shirwaikar. 2005. Antidiabetic activity of benzyl tetra
isoquinoline alkaloid berberine in streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced type 2 diabetic rats.
Diabetol.Croat. 34:117–128.
Rai, N., S. Vyas, and P. Phadnis. 2013. To evaluate the analgesic activity of Ficus racemosa leaf
extract in albino mice using Eddy’s hot plate method. Asian J. Pharm. Clin. Res. 6:19–21.
Raju, K., and R. Balaraman. 2008. Antidiabetic mechanisms of saponins of Momordica
cymbalaria. Pharmacogn. Mag. 15(4):197.
Ramana, G., C.S. Reddya, and C.V. Raob. 2011. In-vitro and in-vivo anti-oxidant activity of
Ficus racemosa Linn.fruit extract and Aeglemarmelos root and leaf extracts. Int. J. Pharm. 4
(7):2078–2081.
Rao, C.V., A.R. Verma, M. Vijayakumar, and S. Rastogi. 2008. Gastroprotective effect of
standardized extract of Ficus glomerata fruit on experimental gastric ulcers in rats.
J. Ethnopharmacol. 115(2):323–326. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2007.09.019.
Rao, R.B., Anupama, K., Swaroop, K.A., Murugesan, T., Pal, M. and Mandal, S.C. 2002.
Evaluation of anti-pyretic potential of Ficus racemosa bark. Phytomedicine, 9(8): 731-733.
Ravichandiran, V., S. Nirmala, and K.N. Ahamed. 2012. Protective effect of tannins from Ficus
racemosa in hypercholesterolemia and diabetes induced vascular tissue damage in rats.
Asian Pac. J. Trop. Med. 5(5):367–373. doi: 10.1016/S1995-7645(12)60061-3.
Salehi, B., A.P. Mishra, M. Nigam, B. Sener, M. Kilic, M. Sharifi-Rad, P.V.T. Fokou, N. Martins,
and J. Sharifi-Rad. 2018a. Resveratrol: A double-edged sword in health benefits.
Biomedicines 6(3):91. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines6030091.
Salehi, B., Z. Stojanović-Radić, J. Matejić, M. Sharifi-Rad, N.V.A. Kumar, N. Martins, and
J. Sharifi-Rad. 2018b. The therapeutic potential of curcumin: A review of clinical trials. Eur.
J. Med. Chem. 163:527–545. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.12.016.
Shaikh, T., R. Rub, K. Bhise, and R.B. Pimprikar. 2010. Antibacterial activity of Ficus racemosa
Linn.leaves on Actinomyces viscosus. Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Res. 2(1):41.
Sharifi-Rad, M., B. Ozcelik, G. Altın, C. Daşkaya-Dikmen, M. Martorell, K. Ramirez-Alarcon,
P. Alarcón-Zapata, M.F.B. Morais-Braga, J.N. Carneiro, A.L.A.B. Leal, et al. 2018a. Salvia
spp. plants-from farm to food applications and phytopharmacotherapy. Trends Food Sci.
Tech. 80:242–263. doi: 10.1016/j.tifs.2018.08.008.
Sharifi-Rad, M., T.H. Roberts, K.R. Matthews, C.F. Bezerra, M.F.B. Morais-Braga, H.
D. Coutinho, F. Sharopov, B. Salehi, Z. Yousaf, M. Sharifi-Rad, et al. 2018b.
Ethnobotany of the genus Taraxacum—Phytochemicals and antimicrobial activity.
Phytother Res 32(11):2131–2145. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6157.
Sharma, S., and V. Gupta. 2008. In vitro antioxidant studies of Ficus racemosa Linn. root.
Pharmacogn. Mag. 4(13):70.
Singh, R., A. Ali, G. Jeyabalan, S. Kakar, and A. Semwal. 2013. Development of quality control
parameters for the standardization of fruit of Ficus racemosa Linn. (M). J. Acute Dis 2
(3):207–213. doi: 10.1016/S2221-6189(13)60128-6.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FRUIT SCIENCE 17

Siwakoti, M., and S. Siwakoti. 2000. Ethnobotanical uses of plants among the Satar tribes of
Nepal, p. 7–108. In: J.K. Maheswori (ed.). Ethnobotany and medicinal plants of Indian
subcontinent. Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur, India.
Sophia, D., and S. Manoharan. 2007. Hypolipidemic activities of Ficus racemosa Linn.bark in
alloxan induced diabetic rats. Afr. J. Tradit. Complement. Altern. Med. 4(3):279–288. doi:
10.4314/ajtcam.v4i3.31220.
Swain, L.E. and Downum, K.R. 1990. Light-activated toxins of the Moraceae. Biochem. Sys.
Ecol. 18: 153-156.
Tariq, I., M. Sultana, A.J. Rashid, S.H. Shah, and G. Murtaza. 2013. Hypoglycemic activity of
Ficus racemosa bark in combination with oral hypoglycemic drug in diabetic human. Acta
Pol. Pharm. 70(6):1045–1049.
Thapa, S. 2001. Documentation of traditional uses of plants by tharu community around Royal
Sukla-Phanta Wildlife Reserve, Far West Nepal. Vol. 61. Central Department of Botany,
Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal, India.
Tiwari, R.D. 2001. Ethno-medicinal plants of Parsa district Nepal, p. 238–244. In: P.K. Jha, S.
R. Baral, S.B. Karmacharya, H.D. Lekhak, P. Lacoul, and C.B. Baniya (eds.). Environment
and Agriculture: Biodiversity, agriculture and pollution in South Asia, Ecological Society of
Nepal. India.
UNESCO, author 1996. Culture and Health, Orientation Texts-World Decade for Cultural
Development 1988 – 1997. Paris, France. Document CLT/DEC/PRO - 1996. p.129..
UNESCO, F. 1998. Terminal report: Promotion of ethnobotany and the sustainable use of plant
resources in Africa.
Varma, C., J. Fernandes, F. Ronald, and E. Subramanyam. 2009. Hypoglycemic and antihy-
perglycemic activity of methanolic root extract of Ficus racemosa in normal and streptozo-
tocin induced diabetic rats. Pharmacologyonline 2:656–666.
Vihari, V. 1995. Ethnobotany of cosmetics of Indo-Nepal border. Ethnobotany 7(1/2):89–94.
Warrier, P.K. 1996. Indian medicinal plants-a compendium of 500 species. 3rd ed. Orient
Longman Press, Chennai, India.
Yadav, R.K., B.C. Nandy, S. Maity, S. Sarkar, and S. Saha. 2015. Phytochemistry, pharmacology,
toxicology, and clinical trial of Ficus racemosa. Pharmacogn. Rev. 9(17):73. doi: 10.4103/
0973-7847.156356.
Yadav, R.K.P. 1999. Proceedings of the third national conference of science and technology. p.
1421–1423. Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Zulfiker, A.H.M., M.M. Rahman, M.K. Hossain, K. Hamid, M.E.H. Mazumder, and M.S. Rana.
2010. In vivo analgesic activity of ethanolic extracts of two medicinal plants-Scoparia dulcis
L. and Ficus racemosa Linn. Biol. Med. 2(2):42–48.
Zulfiker, A.H.M., M.R. Saha, S. Sarwar, L. Nahar, K. Hamid, and M.S. Rana. 2011.
Hypoglycemic and in vitro antioxidant activity of ethanolic extracts of Ficus racemosa
Linn. fruits. AJSIR. 2:391–400. doi: 10.5251/ajsir.2011.2.3.391.400.
18 G. K. CHAWARE ET AL.