Comparison of phytochemicals, antimicrobial, and antioxidant capacities in different anatomical parts ofFicus microcarpa(Moraceae)

Phyto-pharmacological wonders of genus Ficus: Ethnopharmacological insights and phytochemical treasures from natural products

Natural products have perennially served as a cornerstone for the genesis of novel medicinal compounds. Most clinical therapeutics originate from ancestral herbal remedies and their formulations. Scholars and practitioners have always aimed to extract better remedies to treat various ailments. Genus Ficus, consisting of over 800 varieties, is a substantial tree native to tropical regions, characterized by its deciduous or evergreen nature. Various parts of this plant, including its bark, roots, leaves, fruit, and latex, find extensive use in treating a multitude of ailments. This review aims to update the ethnopharmacology, chemistry, and potential clinical applications of extracts and active ingredients from the ten most prevalent Ficus species. Major databases like Chemical Abstracts, ScienceDirect, SciFinder, PubMed, Scopus, etc. have all been used to generate references for this review. According to a thorough review of the literature, the many species of Ficus have a wide range of biological properties, including antioxidant, cytotoxic, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiallergenic, antiasthmatic, larvicidal, antiplasmodial, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective and cardioprotective activity. A bunch of different secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, tannins, phenolic acids, phytosterols, etc., were also reported, which can be responsible for exerted medicinal actions as well as play a crucial role in the field of new drug discovery and development. However, most species are missing well-controlled and double-blind clinical investigations. Thus, we still recommend further extensive exploration of this miraculous genus.

Cardiac Ameliorative Effect of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Rat Model

The consumption of a high-fat diet is linked to the development of obesity and considered a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves (MEML) on the high-fat diet- (HFD-) induced obesity and cardiac damage in rats. MEML, at a dose of 200 mg/kg/bw and 400 mg/kg/bw, was orally administrated to obese rats for 12 weeks. M. oleifera leaves were proved to be rich in nutrients and minerals. Diversity of phenolic compounds in MEML was evidenced via LC-ESI-MS analysis. The chronic administration of HFD in rats led to an increase in the body weight gain, total cholesterol, and triglycerides and reduction in the HDL-C levels. The obtained results indicated a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the cardiac marker enzyme level in obese rats. A significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the levels of cardiac catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities was accompanied with an increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the high-fat diet group when compared to those of the control. The treatment with the MEML alleviated abnormalities in the serum biochemical parameters, balanced the antioxidant status, and reestablished the normal histological structure of the heart especially in the case of the higher concentration. Moringa oleifera leaves may be a promising candidate in the management of obesity and its related complications such as heart problems.