Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Ficus carica: a review

Biological activities of fig latex -loaded cellulose acetate/poly(ethylene oxide) nanofiber for potential therapeutics: Anticancer and antioxidant material

Cancer is a fatal disease, and unfortunately, the anticancer drugs harm normal cells. Plant's extracts are the golden key to solving this issue. In this research, fig latex - from Ficus carica- was encapsulated using cellulose acetate (CA) and poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) polymers via electrospinning method (Fig@CA/PEO). Fig@CA/PEO nanofiber scaffold was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The average fiber diameter was decreased with an increase in latex concentration from 715 nm to 583 nm. FT-IR spectroscopy indicated the presence of fig latex in Fig@CA/PEO nanofibers. Compared to 5-fluorouracil, Fig@CA/PEO nanofiber scaffold considered safe towards normal cells (WI-38). Moreover, the nanofiber scaffold was efficient against colon cancer cells (Caco) and liver cancer cells (HepG2) as it demonstrated IC50 values for cells by 23.97 μg/mL and 23.96 μg/mL, respectively. Besides, the nanofiber scaffold revealed mechanistic variations in apoptotic oncogenes; described by the upregulation of BCL2 and P21, combined by downregulation of p53 and TNF. Moreover, the nanofiber scaffold showed antioxidant activity counting 33.4, 36 and 41 % of DPPH scavenging as the fig latex concentration increased. The results demonstrate that the Fig@CA/PEO nanofiber scaffold is a promising substitute to traditional chemotherapy.

The effect of ultrasonic power on the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of frosted figs pectin

Ultrasound has been widely used in industry due to its high energy and efficiency. This study optimized the ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) process of frosted figs pectin (FFP) using response surface methodology (RSM), and further investigated the effect of ultrasonic power on the structural characteristics and antioxidant activities of FFPs. The UAE method of FFP through RSM was optimized, and the optimal extraction process conditions, particle size of 100 mesh, pH value of 1.95, liquid-solid ratio of 47:1 (mL/g), extraction temperature of 50 °C and extraction time of 65 min, were obtained. The extraction rate of FFP under this condition was 37.97 ± 2.56 %. Then, the four FFPs modified by ultrasound were obtained by changing the ultrasonic power. Research had found that ultrasonic power had little effect on the monosaccharide composition, Zeta potential, as well as the thermal stability and appearance structure of the four FFPs. However, ultrasonic power had a significant impact on other properties of FFP: as the ultrasonic power increased, the DM% and particle size decreased continuously, while the total carbohydrate content increased. Meanwhile, ultrasonic power also had a significant impact on antioxidant activities of FFPs. From the research results, it could be seen that different ultrasonic power had certain changes in its spatial structure and properties, and the structural changes also affected the biological activity of FFP. The study of the effects of ultrasonic power on the physicochemical properties and biological activity of FFP lays the foundation for the development and application of FFP in food additives and natural drug carriers.

Natural Sources of Therapeutic Agents Used in Skin Conditions

Skin conditions are numerous and often have a major impact on patients' quality of life, and effective and safe treatment is very important. The conventional drugs used for skin diseases are usually corticosteroids and antimicrobial products that can induce various side effects, especially with long-term use, which is why researchers are studying alternatives, especially biologically active natural products. Three products caught our attention: bee venom (BV), due to reported experimental results showing anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, antimycotic, and anticancer effects, Ficus carica (FC) due to its demonstrated antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory action, and finally Geranium essential oil (GEO), with proven antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Following a review of the literature, we produced this paper, which presents a review of the potential therapeutic applications of the three products in combating various skin conditions and for skin care, because BV, FC, and GEO have common pharmacological actions (anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant). We also focused on studying the safety of the topical use of BV, FC, and GEO, and new approaches to this. This paper presents the use of these natural therapeutic agents to treat patients with conditions such as vitiligo, melasma, and melanoma, as well as their use in treating dermatological conditions in patients with diabetes.

Ficus carica polysaccharide extraction via ultrasound-assisted technique: Structure characterization, antioxidant, hypoglycemic and immunomodulatory activities

In this research, the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) conditions of the water-soluble polysaccharide (FCPS) from Ficus carica fruits were optimized using the response surface methodology. The optimal FCPS yield was 7.97 % achieved by conducting ultrasound-assisted extraction four times at a solid-liquid ratio of 1:20 (g/mL) and an ultrasound temperature of 70 °C. Then, the structure, antioxidant properties, hypoglycemic effects, and immunomodulatory activities of FCPS were evaluated. FCPS was characterized as irregular, rough-surfaced, flaky materials consisting of pyran-type polysaccharides with α- and β-glycosidic linkages, and composed of multiple monosaccharides and only one homogeneous concentrated polysaccharide component (FCPS1) with a molecular weight of 4.224 × 104 Da. The results suggested FCPS exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity in vitro, as evidenced by improved cell viability and reduced the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Meanwhile, FCPS effectively improved liver-related insulin resistance by promoting glucose consumption in hepatocytes and activated the immune response through activation of murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and upregulation of interleukin 6 (IL6) and interleukin 12 (IL-12) expression. The findings demonstrate the efficacy of the UAE technique in isolating FCPS with biological functionality and FCPS could potentially serve as a beneficial organic antioxidant source and functional food, carrying important implications for future studies.

Virtual screening, pharmacokinetics & MD simulation study of active phytoconstituents of Ficus Carica Linn. against PPAR-γ in diabetes mellitus

F. carica is a small tree and commonly used as a traditional medicine against several disorders. Diabetes is currently treated with insulin and oral hypoglycemic medicines such as sulphonyl urea derivatives, bigunides, thiazolidinediones and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) agonists were found to be very much beneficial in the management of diabetes by inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the bioactive phytoconstituents from Ficus carica Linn. against the target PPAR-γ agonist by in silico docking approach. We investigated 68 phytoconstituents as potential inhibitors of PPAR-γ agonists and the top 24 phytoconstituents were further selected for molecular docking studies. Drug ability, side effects, and ADMET analysis were determined by using MolSoft, toxtree freeware, and ADMET SAR web server, respectively. The phytoconstituents were docked with the target PPAR-γ (PDB ID: 4Y29, 1.98 Å) receptor. Quercetin-3-o-rutinoside possessed the highest G score -14.22 kcal/mol, followed by Angelicin with a G score of -13.56 kcal/mol. All the other phytoconstituents displayed good pharmacokinetic and toxicological parameters with values within the permissible limits. The ligand-protein interaction was calculated by molecular dynamic (MD) simulation study. Subsequently, the binding free energy of the Quercetin-3-o-rutinosideand Pioglitazone complex was calculated using MMPBSA analysis. The results indicated that some of the phytoconstituents from Ficus carica have potency as an anti-diabetic agents. So, these bioactive phytoconstituents like Quercetin-3-o-glucoside, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acids may act as a good agonist for PPAR-γ.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Slowly Making Sense: A Review of the Two-Step Venom System within Slow (Nycticebus spp.) and Pygmy Lorises (Xanthonycticebus spp.)

Since the early 2000s, studies of the evolution of venom within animals have rapidly expanded, offering new revelations on the origins and development of venom within various species. The venomous mammals represent excellent opportunities to study venom evolution due to the varying functional usages, the unusual distribution of venom across unrelated mammals and the diverse variety of delivery systems. A group of mammals that excellently represents a combination of these traits are the slow (Nycticebus spp.) and pygmy lorises (Xanthonycticebus spp.) of south-east Asia, which possess the only confirmed two-step venom system. These taxa also present one of the most intriguing mixes of toxic symptoms (cytotoxicity and immunotoxicity) and functional usages (intraspecific competition and ectoparasitic defence) seen in extant animals. We still lack many pieces of the puzzle in understanding how this venom system works, why it evolved what is involved in the venom system and what triggers the toxic components to work. Here, we review available data building upon a decade of research on this topic, focusing especially on why and how this venom system may have evolved. We discuss that research now suggests that venom in slow lorises has a sophisticated set of multiple uses in both intraspecific competition and the potential to disrupt the immune system of targets; we suggest that an exudate diet reveals several toxic plants consumed by slow and pygmy lorises that could be sequestered into their venom and which may help heal venomous bite wounds; we provide the most up-to-date visual model of the brachial gland exudate secretion protein (BGEsp); and we discuss research on a complement component 1r (C1R) protein in saliva that may solve the mystery of what activates the toxicity of slow and pygmy loris venom. We conclude that the slow and pygmy lorises possess amongst the most complex venom system in extant animals, and while we have still a lot more to understand about their venom system, we are close to a breakthrough, particularly with current technological advances.

In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Psoriasis Activity of Ficus carica Fruit Extracts via JAK-STAT Modulation

Psoriasis, a chronic and autoimmune inflammatory disorder of the skin, has been often underdiagnosed and underestimated despite its prevalence and considerable negative effects on the quality of life. In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity of Ficus carica fruit extract (FFE) was investigated against LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The in vitro results showed that FFE reduced the production of nitric oxide (NO) and iNOS expression. Moreover, FFE reduced the level of β-hexosaminidase released with histamine in allergic reactions. However, the MAPK and NFκB signaling molecules associated with the inflammatory response were not significantly regulated by FFE. In contrast, the phosphorylation of JAK1 and STAT3 in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway was dramatically reduced by FFE treatment. Psoriasis-like skin lesions were induced in BALB/c mice using imiquimod (IMQ) to test the feasibility of FFE as a treatment for psoriasis. The efficacy of FFE was evaluated based on phenotypic and histological features. FFE was effective in relieving the symptoms of psoriasis-like skin lesions, such as erythema, dryness, scales, and thick epidermis. Notably, STAT3 modulation was also contributable to the in vivo ameliorative activity of FFE. Taken together, FFE with anti-psoriasis activity in vitro and in vivo through the JAK-STAT modulation could be developed as a therapeutic agent against psoriasis.

Pharmacological Effects of Grape Leaf Extract Reduce Eimeriosis-Induced Inflammation, Oxidative Status Change, and Goblet Cell Response in the Jejunum of Mice

Coccidiosis is a parasitic infection threatening poultry products globally. Parasite resistance to drugs is one of the barriers to Eimeria control. Natural products are one of the sources of compounds that prevent parasite infections. The current study was, therefore, conducted to evaluate the effect of Vitis vinifera leaf extract on anti-inflammatory response, oxidative status, and goblet cell response against Eimeria papillate infection in mice. Methanol was used as a solvent for phytochemicals. The mice were divided into six groups: The first group was the control. The second group was uninfected and treated with 200 mg/kg of extract to test toxicity, and the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth groups of mice received 1 × 10³ sporulated E. papillate oocysts. The third group received no treatment. The fourth and fifth groups were treated daily with 100 and 200 mg/kg of V. vinifera leaf extract, respectively, while the sixth group received 25 mg/kg of toltrazuril daily via gavage. On day 5 p.i., the animals were sacrificed, and jejunum samples were prepared for analyses of histological sections and oxidative stress. The phytochemical analysis using GC-MS of the extract showed the presence of 12 biologically active compounds. The most effective dose was 200 mg/kg, which significantly decreased the number of parasitic stages in the jejunal sections of the mice. The findings demonstrate that E. papillate infection in mice results in significant histopathological changes in the jejunum, including inflammation, epithelial vacuolation, villi loss, and a decrease in goblet cell density. When infected mice received treatment, the histological injury score within the infected jejunum tissue decreased by 63%, and the goblet cell quantity dramatically increased, approaching the control values. Finally, the extract ameliorated the changes in glutathione and malondialdehyde due to E. papillate infection. The extract was proven to have anti-inflammatory properties and reduce the number of oocysts. Overall, the findings show that V. vinifera leaf extract has significant anticoccidial effects in vivo.

Phytochemical Composition and Health Benefits of Figs (Fresh and Dried): A Review of Literature from 2000 to 2022

With their rich history dating back 6000 years, figs are one of the oldest known plants to mankind and are a classical fruit in the Mediterranean diet. They possess a diverse array of bioactive components, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, carotenoids, and tocopherols, which have been used for centuries in traditional medicine for their health-promoting effects addressing gastrointestinal, respiratory, inflammatory, metabolic, and cardiovascular issues. This review summarizes the updated information on the phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity and other functional properties of fresh and dried figs cultivated in various parts of the world, highlighting variation in phenolic composition based on cultivar, harvesting time, maturity stage, processing, and fig parts. Additionally, the review delves into the bio-accessibility and bio-availability of bioactive components from figs and their potential influence on cardiovascular health, diabetes, obesity, and gut/digestive health. Data suggest that the intake of figs regularly in the diet, alone or with other dried fruits, increases select micronutrient intake and is associated with higher diet quality, respectively. Research in animal and human models of health and disease risk provide preliminary health benefits data on figs and their extracts from fig parts; however, additional well-controlled human studies, particularly using fig fruit, will be required to uncover and verify the potential impact of dietary intake of figs on modern day health issues.

Keeping Healthy in Your Skin-Plants and Fungi Used by Indigenous Himalayan Communities to Treat Dermatological Ailments

Dermatological ailments are a major health problem, especially when related to human immune deficiency syndrome and acquired immune deficiency. The goal of this study was to identify the medicinal plants used by the indigenous peoples of the Northwestern Himalayas to treat dermatological diseases. Several field trips were conducted in the spring and summer seasons of 2020-2021 to collect the plants of dermatological value and information about their use through open-ended semi-structured interviews (n = 53) and group discussions (n = 33). The current investigation found 64 ethnomedicinal plants belonging to 34 families commonly used to treat a variety of dermatological ailments. The main growth form was herbs (80%), followed by trees (8%) and ferns (6%). It was found that leaves (51%) were the most commonly used plant part, followed by roots and the whole plant. Wound healing was the most dominant application, with 18 plant species used, followed by skin burns cured by 11 plant species and skin boils by eight plant species. Out of the total (18%) of medicinal plants with cosmetic uses, i.e., roots of Jurinea dolomiaea, Rheum webbianum, and Rheum spiciforme were crushed into powder and mixed with turmeric, and the paste is applied topically for glowing skin. Among the various preparation methods, paste (38%) was the most common way of preparation, followed by poultice (29%) and infusion (9%). Between ethnic groups, the maximum homogeneity was between Gujjar and Bakarwal ethnic groups (23 species, 36%), followed by Gujjars and Kashmiri (14 species, 22%). Bakarwals and Gujjar people live in the same geographical location, and they graze their animals in pastures, practice extensive transhumance pastoralism, and pass through different ecological landscapes, thus having sufficient experiences with certain plants and retaining more knowledge. The species identified with the highest utilization based on the number of citations and use value included Ficus carica, Cichorium intybus, Euphorbia wallichii, Pinus wallichiana, Plantago major, Jurinea dolomiaea, and Artemisia absinthium. The findings of this study demonstrate that people who reside in the Northwestern Himalayas region still rely on medicinal plants.

The influence of microwave roasting on bioactive components and chemical parameters of cold pressed fig seed oil

The effect of microwave roasting process on the compositional parameters and bioactive contents of fig seed oil were investigated. Fig seeds were ground and roasted in a microwave oven at 350, 460 and 600 Watt for 5 and 10 minutes and the roasted seeds were processed to obtain oil. The results showed that peroxide, K232 and K270 values were adversely affected by roasting. Fig seed oil was a prosperous source of γ-tocopherol and significant losses were observed due to microwave pre-treatment. The major fatty acids in fig seed oil were linolenic, linoleic and oleic acids; whereas the major triacylglycerols were LnLO, LnLnL, LnLnLn and LnLnO, according to fatty acid profile. The most abundant sterol in the fig seed oil samples was β-sitosterol with 3235.90 to 3625.62 mg/kg, followed by Δ5- and Δ7-avenasterols. The principal component analysis and agglomerative hierarchial clustering served to differentiate between intense and mild microwave-treated oils as well as the unroasted samples.

Biological Insights on the Invasive Fig Pest Aclees taiwanensis Kȏno, 1933 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The fig weevil Aclees taiwanensis Kȏno, 1933 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an invasive fig tree pest recently introduced in southern Europe. Reported for the first time in France in 1997 as A. cribratus, and then in Italy in 2005 as A. sp. cf. foveatus, A. taiwanensis is currently threatening fig nurseries, orchards, and wild plants. To date, no control methods have proven to be effective against A. taiwanensis. Although some attempts have been made to describe the insect's biology and behavior, such information is limited to that obtained from adult samples collected in the field. In particular, because of their xylophagous behavior, scarce information is available on the larval stages of the species. The aim of this study, therefore, was to fill these information gaps on the insect biology and behavior by setting up a laboratory protocol suitable for the rearing of A. taiwanensis. Using the developed rearing protocol, we assessed the main fitness parameters of the species including oviposition rate, egg hatchability, embryonic, larval and pupal duration and development, immature survival, pupation behavior, pupal weight, emergence, sex ratio and adult morphological parameters. The proposed rearing procedure allowed us to obtain new information on the main features of the insect's biology that may be useful for setting up strategies for its control.

Ficus carica (Linn.) Leaf and Bud Extracts and Their Combination Attenuates Type-1 Diabetes and Its Complications via the Inhibition of Oxidative Stress

The current work was designed to evaluate the antioxidant activity and antidiabetic effect of Ficus carica L. extracts. For that, the leaves and buds of Ficus carica L. were analyzed to determine their polyphenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity. Diabetes was induced by a single dose of alloxan monohydrate (65 mg/kg body weight), then diabetic rats were treated with a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight of the methanolic extracts of Ficus carica leaves or buds or their combination for 30 days. Throughout the experiment, blood sugar and body weight were measured every 5 and 7 days respectively. At the end of the experiment, serum and urine were collected for analysis of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, uric acid, urea, proteins, sodium, potassium, and chloride. Pancreas, liver, and kidney were removed to estimate catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione activities; lipid peroxidation products were also determined. The results obtained revealed that alloxan has induced hyperglycemia, increased liver and renal biomarkers levels, reduced antioxidative enzymes, and induced lipid peroxidation. However, the treatment with Ficus carica leaf and bud extracts, especially their combination, has attenuated all pharmacological perturbations induced by alloxan.

ACE2-Inhibitory Effects of Bromelain and Ficin in Colon Cancer Cells

Background and Objectives: Bromelain and ficin are aqueous extracts from fruits of Ananas comosus and Ficus carcia plants, used widely for medical applications. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a homolog of ACE, degrading Ang II to angiotensin 1-7 and decreasing the cellular concentration of Ang II. Materials and Methods: In this study, we investigated the ACE2-inhibitory, antiproliferative, and apoptosis-inducing effects of ficin and bromelain on caco-2 cells. Results: We found that bromelain and ficin significantly reduced the viability of human colon cancer cells with IC₅₀ value concentrations of 8.8 and 4.2 mg/mL for bromelain after 24 and 48 h treatments, and 8.8 and 4.2 mg/mL for ficin after 24 and 48 h treatments, respectively. The apoptosis of the caco-2 cell line treated with bromelain was 81.04% and 56.70%, observed after 24 and 48 h. Total apoptotic proportions in caco-2 cells treated with ficin after 24 and 48 h were 83.7% and 73.0%. An amount of 1.6 mg/mL of bromelain and ficin treatments on caco-2 cells after 24 h revealed a higher decrease than that of other concentrations in the expression of ACE2 protein. Conclusions: In conclusion, bromelain and ficin can dose-dependently decrease the expression of ACE2 protein in caco-2 cells.

Industrial Application and Health Prospective of Fig (Ficus carica) By-Products

The current review was carried out on the industrial application of fig by-products and their role against chronic disorders. Fig is basically belonging to fruit and is botanically called Ficus carica. There are different parts of fig, including the leaves, fruits, seeds and latex. The fig parts are a rich source of bioactive compounds and phytochemicals including antioxidants, phenolic compounds, polyunsaturated fatty acids, phytosterols and vitamins. These different parts of fig are used in different food industries such as the bakery, dairy and beverage industries. Fig by-products are used in extract or powder form to value the addition of different food products for the purpose of improving the nutritional value and enhancing the stability. Fig by-products are additive-based products which contain high phytochemicals fatty acids, polyphenols and antioxidants. Due to the high bioactive compounds, these products performed a vital role against various diseases including cancer, diabetes, constipation, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Concussively, fig-based food products may be important for human beings and produce healthy food.

Fig latex inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria invading human diabetic wounds and accelerates wound closure in diabetic mice

Impaired wound healing is one of the most critical complications associated with diabetes mellitus. Infections and foot ulcers are major causes of morbidity for diabetic patients. The current treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, commonly used antibiotics, is associated with the development of bacterial resistance. Hence, novel and more effective natural therapeutic antibacterial agents are urgently needed and should be developed against the pathogenic bacteria inhabiting diabetic wounds. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the impact of fig latex on pathogenic bacteria and its ability to promote the healing process of diabetic wounds. The pathogenic bacteria were isolated from patients with diabetic foot ulcers admitted to Assiut University Hospital. Fig latex was collected from trees in the Assiut region, and its chemical composition was analyzed using GC‒MS. The antibacterial efficacy of fig latex was assessed on the isolated bacteria. An in vivo study to investigate the effect of fig latex on diabetic wound healing was performed using three mouse groups: nondiabetic control mice, diabetic mice and diabetic mice treated with fig latex. The influence of fig latex on the expression levels of β-defensin-1, PECAM-1, CCL2 and ZO-1 and collagen formation was investigated. The GC‒MS analysis demonstrated the presence of triterpenoids, comprising more than 90% of the total latex content. Furthermore, using a streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse model, topical treatment of diabetic wound tissues with fig latex was shown to accelerate and improve wound closure by increasing the expression levels of β-defensin-1, collagen, and PECAM-1 compared to untreated diabetic wounds. Additionally, fig latex decreased the expression levels of ZO-1 and CCL2.

The Effects of Ficus carica on Male and Female Reproductive Capabilities in Rats

The basic purpose of pharmacology is to look into the benefits of natural remedies and make them available to the general populace. Herbal medicines are now considered to be the future of humanity. The current study explored the effects of Ficus carica (FC) extract in rats of two-generation F₀ (parents) and F₁ (offspring) in either sex. The F. carica extract was initially tested for acute and sub-chronic toxicity. Extracts were also tested for fertility assessment and effects on reproductive hormones like follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), estradiol, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS), insulin, progesterone, and prolactin. The antioxidant activity of the extract was also evaluated by testing mRNA expressions of SOD2, GPX1, CAT, and GR in male testes and female ovaries. The animals treated with 100 mg/kg FC extract produced a more pronounced fertility effect in both genders. Expression of CAT, SOD2, GPX1, and GR was found to be increased in the reproductive organs of both sexes. Histology of the testes reveals increased spermatogenesis and increased folliculogenesis in ovaries. The hormone profile showed an increase in FSH, DHT, estradiol, and DHEAS levels in males and FSH, LH, estrogen, and DHEAS in females. The results of the study establish the effectiveness of natural products in improving fertility issues in either sex.

A systematic review on potential anticancer activities of Ficus carica L. with focus on cellular and molecular mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Many substances derived from nutritional or medicinal plants have been studied for their chemopreventive and antineoplastic properties. Among those studied, Ficus carica has shown to have a significant ability to inhibit tumor formation and development of cancer cells through modulating various signaling mechanisms and interaction including a large number of cell signaling molecules.

PURPOSE

The goal of this study is to provide a critical and complete evaluation of F. carica's anticancer capacity in various malignancies, as well as related molecular targets.

METHODS

Research was conducted electronically on scholarly scientific databases, including Science Direct, PubMed, and Scopus. Published papers were analyzed and investigated using the keywords, Ficus carica, figs, cancer, malignancies and tumor based on established selection criteria. In this systematic review, 27 individual studies were considered.

RESULTS

Treatment with F. carica alone or in combination with other medications was linked to anticancer activity with significant evidence. Furthermore, F. carica has been shown to use multitargeted pathways to prevent cancer initiation and development by modulating numerous dysregulated signaling cascades involved in cell proliferation, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, autophagy inflammatory processes, metastasis, invasion, and angiogenesis.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that F. carica and its phytochemicals have the potential for cancer prevention and therapy. Nonetheless, additional mechanistic studies with pure compounds derived from F. carica and well-designed clinical trials are needed to advance our knowledge to clinical application.

Ficus dubia latex extract prevent DMH-induced rat early colorectal carcinogenesis through the regulation of xenobiotic metabolism, inflammation, cell proliferation and apoptosis

Ficus dubia latex is recognized as a remedy in Asian traditional medicine with various therapeutic effects. The present study aimed to determine the preventive action of Ficus dubia latex extract (FDLE) on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced rat colorectal carcinogenesis and its mechanisms. The experiment included an initiation model in which rats were orally administered with FDLE daily for 1 week before DMH injection until the end of the experiment, while only after DMH injection until the end in the post-initiation model. The results firstly indicated that FDLE treatment could reduce the level of methylazoxymethanol (MAM) in rat colonic lumen by inhibition of the activities of both phase I xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in the liver and β-glucuronidase in the colon, leading to reduced DNA methylation in colonic mucosal cells, related to the number of ACF in the initiation stage. Besides, FDLE modulated the inflammation which could suppress the growth and induce apoptosis of aberrant colonic mucosal cells, leading to retardation of ACF multiplicity. Therefore, FDLE showed the ability to suppress the DMH-induced rat ACF formation and inflammation promoted growth of ACF. In conclusion, FDLE had the potential to prevent carcinogens-induced rat colorectal carcinogenesis in the initiation stage.

Diversity of rhizospheric and endophytic bacteria isolated from dried fruit of Ficus carica

There is currently an increasing demand for the characterization of endophytic bacteria isolated from different parts of plants (rhizosphere, roots, fruit, leaf) in order to improve the organic agriculture practices. The current research was performed to identify both rhizospheric bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of Ficus carica in three different sites in the north of Tunisia and endophytic bacteria isolated from dried figs. We then characterized them for a diversity of plant growth-promoting (PGP) activities. A collection of 120 isolates from rhizospheric soil and 9 isolates from dried figs was obtained and purified. 16SrDNA gene amplification of rhizospheric bacteria revealed significant diversity and allowed for the assigning of the isolates to 6 phyla: Gammaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. Representative strains of the collection (90 strains) were tested for numerous PGP activities and resistance to abiotic stresses. The most common PGP trait for all bacteria from the three regions was siderophore production (62%), followed by cellulase (38%), then protease activity (37%), then by lipases activity (17%) and lastly by solubilization of phosphates (9%). Twenty -three strains that showed most PGP traits were selected, 8 strains presented 12 or more, and 15 strains displayed between 7 and 11 of 17 PGP activities. The majority of the isolates manifested a possible adaptation to abiotic stress and unfavorable environments. PCR-DGGE analysis of soil rhizosphere of the three sites allowed also for the acquisition of a Cluster analysis of rhizospheric bacterial communities. Our current study identified and characterized for the first time in Tunisia rhizospheric and endophytic bacteria from dried fruit of Ficus carica.

Comparative Analysis of the Complete Chloroplast Genomes of Eight Ficus Species and Insights into the Phylogenetic Relationships of Ficus

The genus Ficus is an evergreen plant, the most numerous species in the family Moraceae, and is often used as a food and pharmacy source. The phylogenetic relationships of the genus Ficus have been debated for many years due to the overlapping phenotypic characters and morphological similarities between the genera. In this study, the eight Ficus species (Ficus altissima, Ficus auriculata, Ficus benjamina, Ficus curtipes, Ficus heteromorpha, Ficus lyrata, Ficus microcarpa, and Ficus virens) complete chloroplast (cp) genomes were successfully sequenced and phylogenetic analyses were made with other Ficus species. The result showed that the eight Ficus cp genomes ranged from 160,333 bp (F. heteromorpha) to 160,772 bp (F. curtipes), with a typical quadripartite structure. It was found that the eight Ficus cp genomes had similar genome structures, containing 127 unique genes. The cp genomes of the eight Ficus species contained 89−104 SSR loci, which were dominated by mono-nucleotides repeats. Moreover, we identified eight hypervariable regions (trnS-GCU_trnG-UCC, trnT-GGU_psbD, trnV-UAC_trnM-CAU, clpP_psbB, ndhF_trnL-UAG, trnL-UAG_ccsA, ndhD_psaC, and ycf1). Phylogenetic analyses have shown that the subgenus Ficus and subgenus Synoecia exhibit close affinities and based on the results, we prefer to merge the subgenus Synoecia into the subgenus Ficus. At the same time, new insights into the subgeneric classification of the Ficus macrophylla were provided. Overall, these results provide useful data for further studies on the molecular identification, phylogeny, species identification and population genetics of speciation in the Ficus genus.

Autophagy is involved in Ficus carica fruit extract-induced anti-tumor effects on pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PaCa), a common and highly lethal malignant cancer, is often insensitive to radio- and/or chemotherapy. Therefore, effective treatment regiments are still lacking. Herein, we found that an extract of Ficus carica fruit (EFCF) exerted anti-tumor effects on PaCa cells. EFCF induced cell viability inhibition and apoptotic cell death in two PaCa cell lines in a dose- and time dependent manner. EFCF effectively suppressed the migration, metastasis, invasion, and colony formation of PaCa cells. Mechanistically, EFCF stimulated an increase in intracellular ROS to promote cell death and senescence. EFCF treatment also triggered autophagy, and autophagy inhibition enhanced EFCF-induced cell death. We found that EFCF decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and promoted lipid peroxidation. Moreover, intragastric administration of EFCF effectively suppressed xenograft PaCa growth inhibition by activating cell death. EFCF had no apparent toxicity to normal pancreatic epithelial cells. Together, these findings suggest that EFCF may be a potential treatment for PaCa.

Medicinal Foods, YT and RH Combination, Suppress Cigarette Smoke-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress by Inhibiting NF-κB/ERK Signaling Pathways

Background

Cigarette smoke is a risk factor for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Given the lack of COPD curative treatment, dietary management for COPD patients has become important. This study investigated whether the medicinal foods (YT and RH) could suppress cigarette smoke exposure-induced inflammation and oxidative stress.

Methods

Chronic pulmonary inflammation in male C57 mice was induced by a 4-week exposure to cigarette smoke (CS). The medicinal foods YT and RH were orally administered 1 week prior to CS exposure. The protective effects were assessed by measuring the pulmonary function and histopathological evaluations. Inflammatory cell numbers and cytokines levels in BALF and blood serum were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels of the lung were analyzed. Furthermore, the levels of phosphorylated ERK and NF-κB in both the mice lungs and RAW264.7 cells were also detected.

Results

YT and RH combination (YT + RH) significantly improved pulmonary function and suppressed the inflammation, including cell number and cytokines in BALF relative to the CS group; histological examination revealed protective effects of YT + RH in the lungs of mice exposed to CS. Moreover, the MDA level in the lung of the YT + RH group of mice was lower, the SOD activity was higher, and in vitro treatment of YT and RH combination attenuated reactive oxygen species (ROS) expression in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells stimulated with cigarette smoke (CSE). YT + RH combination significantly reduced the expression of pNF-κB and pERK in the lung tissues and macrophage stimulated with CSE.

Conclusions

YT and RH combination attenuates cigarette smoke-induced inflammation and oxidative stress through inhibition of the NF-κB/ERK signaling pathway.

Do Pollination and Pollen Sources Affect Fig Seed Set and Quality? First Attempt Using Chemical and Vibrational Fingerprints Coupled with Chemometrics

This research investigates whether pollination and pollen sources separately and simultaneously influence fig seed set and quality, as being thus far the less studied part of the fig trees. This is the first research that tries to answer and verify the above hypothesis through a combined approach of vibrational spectroscopy along with lipo-biochemical and ionomic fingerprinting. Results showed that pollination and pollen source significantly impacted seed set as it was higher in fertilized seeds than that in the control. A similar pattern was obtained with oil yield, which generally ranged between 25.93 and 32.59%. Caprification also displayed a substantial effect on seeds' phenolic components, which was more driven by pollen carbohydrates, involved in the phenolic biosynthesis in the endosperm and embryo tissues. This biosynthesis is also activated by minerals, which are cofactors for large varieties of enzymes that are involved in the phenolic synthesis pathways. Ca and Zn did not follow this pattern and have recorded high levels in figs fertilized by the pollen of OZ and FD4 caprifigs pollen, respectively. Vibrational spectroscopy using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy coupled with total attenuated reflectance (ATR) also showed a similar pattern to the seed sets and their lipo-biochemical attributes. Thus, the fertilized seeds displayed high vibrational intensity compared to the control in all fingerprint regions. Peaks at 2928 and 1747 cm−1 had a higher intensity and were attributed to lipids CH2 and CH3 stretching vibration and C=O of the carbonyl groups belonging to the triacylglycerols, respectively. Principal component analysis showed high throughput classification with quite similar patterns for both FTIR-ATR fingerprinting and ionomic and biochemical analysis. As many areas of how caprification impacts other seed aspects still need to be investigated further, this research suggests the importance of caprification in seed valorization for oil extraction and as a functional ingredient.

Natural products in suppressing glioma progression: A focus on the role of microRNAs

Glioma is one of the most common malignancies of the central nervous system. Due to inadequate response to the current treatments available, glioma has been at the center of recent cancer studies searching for novel treatment strategies. This has prompted an intensive search using linkage studies and preliminary evidence to gain efficient insight into the mechanisms involved in the alleviation of the pathogenesis of glioma mediated by miRNAs, a group of noncoding RNAs that affect gene expression posttranscriptionally. Dysregulated expression of miRNAs can exacerbate the malignant features of tumor cells in glioma and other cancers. Natural products can exert anticancer effects on glioma cells by stimulating the expression levels of tumor suppressor miRNAs and repressing the expression levels of oncogenic miRNAs. In this review, we aimed to collect and analyze the literature addressing the roles of natural products in the treatment of glioma, with an emphasis on their involvement in the regulation of miRNAs.

Endophytic microflora from Ficus carica L. leaves – isolation, characterization and potential for application

Fig leaves (Ficus carica L.) are widely used in traditional medicine as a remedy or for prevention of many health problems (lowering blood sugar and triglyceride levels, cardiovascular diseases, etc.). The aim of the research was isolation of endophytic microflora, its characterization and proving its potential for future application. Two endophytic bacteria Streptococcus sp. Fcl1 and Kocuria rhizophila Fcl20 were isolated from the fig leaves and characterized. Using HPLC method was also determined the polyphenolic profile of aqueous-alcoholic extract (70% (v/v) ethanol) and microwave-assisted aqueous extract of fig leaves, for the purpose of phytochemical characterization of the plant, for subsequent study of the endophyte-plant relationship. The main found phenolic acids and flavonoids in extracts were: (+)-catechin, vanillic acid, syringic acid, (-)-epicatechin, ferulic acid, salicylic acid, rosmarinic acid, rutin.

Breba Fruits Characterization from Four Varieties (Ficus carica L.) with Important Commercial Interest in Spain

Although most of the published articles generalize with the fruit of the fig tree (Ficus carica L.), the differentiation between fig and breba is increasingly common in the bibliography. In this regard, keep in mind that the fig tree generally produces two crops a year, the parthenocarpic breba, also called as early fig, and the main non-parthenocarpic crop, the fig proper. In this study, four brebas varieties (‘Colar’, ‘SuperFig1’, ‘Cuello de Dama Negro’ and ‘San Antonio’) were selected in order to identify compositional, nutritional, and chemical diversity. These varieties were chosen for their commercial relevance in Spain. Color (internal and external), fruit and peel weight, size, pH, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), maturity index (MI), sugar, and organic content were determined for all the breba fruits samples. In addition, polyphenolic profile, amino acids, and volatile aromatic compounds were also identified. The varieties ‘Colar’ and ‘SuperFig1’ showed the highest fruit weight and size, while ‘Cuello de Dama Negro’ presented the higher pulp yield. The higher organic acid and sugar contents were determined for ‘SuperFig1’ and ‘Cuello de Dama Negro’, respectively. Although in low concentrations, the phenolic compound quercetin 3-(6-O-acetyl-beta-glucoside) and the amino acid tyrosine were only detected in the ‘’Cuello de Dama Negra’ and ‘SuperFig1’ fruits, respectively. Of the eighty volatile aromatic compounds identified, only eight were common in four varieties. An important knowledge gap was identified in relation to the characterization of the two Ficus carica L. crops, that is, the differentiation and specification in the literature when working with brebas and/or figs.

Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Properties, and Recent Applications of Ficus benghalensis and Ficus religiosa

Ficus is one of the largest genera in the plant kingdom that belongs to the Moraceae family. This review aimed to summarize the medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological actions of two major species from this genus, namely Ficus benghalensis and Ficus religiosa. These species can be found abundantly in most Asian countries, including Malaysia. The chemical analysis report has shown that Ficus species contained a wide range of phytoconstituents, including phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, glycosides, sugar, protein, essential and volatile oils, and steroids. Existing studies on the pharmacological functions have revealed that the observed Ficus species possessed a broad range of biological properties, including antioxidants, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antitumor and antiproliferative, antimutagenic, antimicrobial, anti-helminthic, hepatoprotective, wound healing, anticoagulant, immunomodulatory activities, antistress, toxicity studies, and mosquitocidal effects. Apart from the plant parts and their extracts, the endophytes residing in these host plants were discussed as well. This study also includes the recent applications of the Ficus species and their plant parts, mainly in the nanotechnology field. Various search engines and databases were used to obtain the scientific findings, including Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PMC, Research Gate, and Scopus. Overall, the review discusses the therapeutic potentials discovered in recent times and highlights the research gaps for prospective research work.

Effects of Iranian Polyherbal Syrup (Zufa syrup) on oxygen saturation and clinical symptoms in suspected patients with COVID-19: a triple-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused an urgent need for investigating potential treatments. Traditional medicine offers many potential remedies that have been historically used and have the advantage of bypassing the cultural obstacles in the practice of medicine. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of Zufa syrup in the treatment of suspected patients with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19. This triple-blind randomized controlled trial recruited patients with evidence of COVID-19 on chest computed tomography without an indication of hospital admission from March 2020 until April 2020. Participants were assessed by a physician and completed a pre-specified form to assess the duration and severity of symptoms. Patients were randomized to receive Zufa syrup (a combination of herbal medicines: Nepetabracteata, Ziziphus jujube, Glycyrrhizaglabra, Ficuscarica, Cordia myxa, Papaver somniferum, Fennel, Adiantumcapillusveneris, Viola, Viper‘s-buglosses, Lavender, Iris, and sugar) or identical-looking placebo syrup at a dose of 7.5 mL (one tablespoon) every 4 hours for 10 days. After applying the eligibility criteria, 116 patients (49.1% male) were randomized to trial arms with a mean age of 44.3. During the follow-up, Cough, dyspnea, headache, myalgia, anorexia, anxiety, and insomnia improved gradually in both groups, and showed no difference between Zufa syrup and placebo. Oxygen saturation and pulse rate had stable trends throughout the follow-up and were similar between study arms. No patient required hospital admission or supplemental oxygen therapy during the study period. To conclude, in patients with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19, Zufa syrup did not show any difference in symptomatology over a 10 days’ period when compared with placebo. Due to potential effects of medicinal plants in the treatment of respiratory infections, further studies are warranted to clarify their role in COVID-19. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Qom University of Medical Science (Ethics committee reference number IR.MUQ.REC.1398.165) on March 10, 2020 and was registered in Iranian Clinical Trial Center (approval ID: IRCT20200404046934N1) on April 13, 2020.

Study of synergistic effects of Ficus Carica leaves extract mediated chemo-photodynamic therapy on rhabdomyosarcoma cells

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy for rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) is effective, but it has critical side effects and unavoidable challenges. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an approach to treating cancer with relatively moderate side effects. Plant products are a rich source of polyphenols, which have potent antioxidant and anticancer activities. Therefore, their research has become an emerging field in recent decades.

PURPOSE

This work aimed to evaluate the potential of hydrophobic extract of Ficus Carica (FC) to determine whether FC in the presence of low dose chemo and Aluminium Phthalocyanine (Photosense®) mediated photodynamic therapy synergistically enhances the treatment efficacy of RD cells.

METHOD

FC with and without combination with individual therapeutic modalities like photosense mediated photodynamic therapy, chemotherapy, and their combinations were studied for cell viability and morphological changes in invitro RD cells. A semiconductor diode laser (630 nm) was used as a light source in PDT. The cytotoxic effect of FC on cell viability and cellular morphological changes were investigated by MTT reagent and a camera attached to an inverted visible light microscope. The effect of FC, followed by di-combination with low dose chemo (doxorubicin-HCl, and dacarbazine), Photosense® mediated PDT and chemo-Photosense® mediated PDT (tri-combination) at 630 nm diode laser and 10 J/cm² fluency were also investigated by MTT reagent. The combination index method is used to identify the synergistic effect of combination therapy by using CompuSyn software based on the Chou-Talalay method.

RESULTS

The dose-dependent effect of FC on cell viability and cellular morphological changes were observed in the RD cell line. It was found that the pre incubation of FC potentiated the anticancer effect as a neoadjuvant agent for doxorubicin-HCl and decarbazine based chemotherapy, Photosense® mediated PDT and chemo-PDT (tri-combination) with synergistic effect (CI<1).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest a possible thread that the low dose combination of the aforementioned therapeutic modalities in the presence of FC remarkably enhances the treatment efficacy of RD in comparison with a single-agent treatment modality. The proposed sequence of FC with chemo and PDT might present better therapeutic outcomes in RD therapies and may provide result for RD metastasis. FC may also be used in the application of phyto-PDT to cancer in the future.

Potential of Ficus carica extracts against Euschistus heros: Toxicity of major active compounds and selectivity against beneficial insects

BACKGROUND

Using plant-based extracts and their constituents has been suggested as an alternative tool to replace or integrate with the synthetic compounds used to manage insect pests. Here, we evaluated the potential of extracts obtained from Ficus carica Linn (Moraceae) branches and leaves against the Neotropical brown stink bug, Euschistus heros, one of the most prevalent insect pests in soybean fields. We further isolated and evaluated the toxicity of the extracts' major components against E. heros. Additionally, by using computational docking analysis and toxicological approaches, we assessed the physiological basis for the selectivity of these extracts against beneficial insects such as pollinator bees (i.e. Apis mellifera and the Neotropical stingless bee Partamona helleri), ladybeetles (Eriopis connexa and Coleomegilla maculata), and lacewings (Chrysoperla externa).

RESULTS

Our results demonstrate that branch (LC50  = 5.9 [4.7-7.1] mg mL-1 ) and leaf (LC50  = 14.1 [12.5-15.4] mg mL-1 ) extracts exhibited similar toxicity against E. heros. Our phytochemical analysis revealed psoralen and bergapten furanocoumarins as the major components of the extract. Based on our computational predictions, these molecules' differential abilities to physically interact with the acetylcholinesterases of E. heros and beneficial insects play relevant roles in their selectivity actions. The estimated LC90 values of branch (30.0 mg mL-1 ) and leaf (30.0 mg mL-1 ) extracts killed less than 12% of the beneficial insects.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our findings revealed that furanocoumarin-rich extracts obtained from F. carica extracts have the potential to be used as alternative tools in the integrated management of stink bug pests. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Inhibitory Potential of Murraya Koenigii (L.) and Ficus Carica L. Extracts Against Aldose Reductase (ALR), Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) Formation and Sorbitol Accumulation

Introduction: Murraya koenigii (L.) and Ficus carica L. are traditionally used plants with significant medicinal and nutritional values. Aim and Objective: The present study was focused on the evaluation of hydro-alcoholic and aqueous extracts of M. koenigii (L.) leaves [MKHA (M. koenigii (L.) hydro-alcoholic extract) and MKAQ (M. koenigii (L.) aqueous extract)] and dried fruits of F. carica L. [FCHA (F. carica L. hydro-alcoholic extract) and FCAQ (F. carica L. aqueous extract)] in the attenuation of markers of microvascular complications associated with diabetes mellitus which can be further used to investigate the pharmacological activity of these plants in treatment of diabetes and its complications. Material and Method: The attenuating effect of the extracts was evaluated by calculating the ALR1 enzyme inhibition in a kidney of Wistar rat, anti-glycation activity in bovine serum albumin (BSA) and erythrocyte sorbitol accumulation inhibition in heparinized human blood. Results: A significant inhibitory effect (IC50 6.47μg/ml,7.26μg/ml,8.93 μg/ml and 9.66μg/ml) was observed with different concentrations of extracts (MKHA, MKAQ, FCHA and FCAQ) respectively, against ALR enzyme. After the 4th week of incubation, the inhibition of AGEs formation by MKHA, MKAQ, FCHA and FCAQ (500μg/ml) was found to be 82.58%, 78.58%, 74.39% and 69.56% respectively. MKHA, MKAQ, FCHA and FCAQ were found to exhibit significant inhibition against the accumulation of sorbitol in RBCs with IC50 188.88 μg/ml, 247.74μg/ml, 291.94μg/ml and 345.34μg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: The administration of different concentrations of MKHA, MKAQ, FCHA and FCAQ significantly attenuated ALR, AGEs and sorbitol accumulation; hence, it can provide a basis for identification and development of new inhibitors of these biomarkers.

Advantages of Hyaluronic Acid and Its Combination with Other Bioactive Ingredients in Cosmeceuticals

This study proposes a review on hyaluronic acid (HA) known as hyaluronan or hyaluronate and its derivates and their application in cosmetic formulations. HA is a glycosaminoglycan constituted from two disaccharides (N-acetylglucosamine and D-glucuronic acid), isolated initially from the vitreous humour of the eye, and subsequently discovered in different tissues or fluids (especially in the articular cartilage and the synovial fluid). It is ubiquitous in vertebrates, including humans, and it is involved in diverse biological processes, such as cell differentiation, embryological development, inflammation, wound healing, etc. HA has many qualities that recommend it over other substances used in skin regeneration, with moisturizing and anti-ageing effects. HA molecular weight influences its penetration into the skin and its biological activity. Considering that, nowadays, hyaluronic acid has a wide use and a multitude of applications (in ophthalmology, arthrology, pneumology, rhinology, aesthetic medicine, oncology, nutrition, and cosmetics), the present study describes the main aspects related to its use in cosmetology. The biological effect of HA on the skin level and its potential adverse effects are discussed. Some available cosmetic products containing HA have been identified from the brand portfolio of most known manufacturers and their composition was evaluated. Further, additional biological effects due to the other active ingredients (plant extracts, vitamins, amino acids, peptides, proteins, saccharides, probiotics, etc.) are presented, as well as a description of their possible toxic effects.

Comparative anticancer activities of Ficus carica and Ficus salicifolia latex in MDA-MB-231 cells

Ficus latex is rich in polyphenolic compounds and hence considered as an antioxidant and anti-proliferative. Many studies are available on Ficus carica (common fig) whereas Ficus salicifolia is less studied. F. salicifolia grows in a harsh dry environment, therefore its latex was selected in the current study along with the F. carica for their comparative anti-cancer potential and the involved molecular mechanism. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) derived MDA-MB-231 cells were used in the study. MTT and morphological studies indicated that the latex of both plants has anti-proliferative effects. To know their anti-metastatic effects, a wound-healing assay was performed. Both species were able to maintain the wound size compared to the untreated cells indicating their anti-metastatic effects. Using a DNA damage assay kit, we found that both fig species have genotoxic and cytotoxic effects in MDA-MB-231 cells compared to the untreated control. To know the potential molecular mechanism involved, we used a human kinase array kit. We found that ERK2, CREB, and AKT2 were downregulated after treatment the MDA-Mb-231 cells with the latex of F. carica. We assumed that F. salicifolia will also affect the same pathways, however after confirmation through real-time (RT)-PCR, downregulations of the above mentioned pathways were confirmed in cells treated with F. carica latex, however, in cells treated with F. salicifolia the selected genes were upregulated at the transcriptional level. We conclude that latex of both species of ficus have anti-cancer effects in MDA-MB-231 cells, however differ in their level of toxicity and the mechanism of action at the molecular level.

Effects of topical gel formulation of Ficus carica latex on cutaneous leishmaniasis induced by Leishmania major in BALB/c mice

Objectives

The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of Ficus carica latex on the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), induced by Leishmania major. A 5% topical gel with F. carica latex was prepared. BALB/c mice were infected by inoculation of amastigotes form of L. major. Thirty BALB/c mice were divided into five groups, where the first group was treated daily, the second group twice per day, and the third group every other day with the 5% topical gel, for 3 weeks. The sizes of the lesions were measured before and during the course of treatment.

Results

Although the mean size of lesions in the mice group treated with the 5% F. carica gel, especially in the group receiving daily treatment, was less than the mean size of the lesions in the control group, yet, the differences was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The findings of the current study demonstrated that the 5% F. carica latex with a 3-week course of treatment had no considerable effect in recovery or control of CL induced by L. major in the murine model. Using higher concentration of F. carica latex and with longer treatment lengths may increase its efficacy in the treatment of CL.

Insight into the collagen-degrading activity of a serine protease in the latex of Ficus carica cultivar Masui Dauphine

Ficus carica produces, in addition to the cysteine protease ficin, a serine protease. Earlier study on a serine protease from F. carica cultivar Brown Turkey showed that it specifically degraded collagen. In this study, we characterized the collagenolytic activity of a serine protease in the latex of F. carica cultivar Masui Dauphine. The serine protease degraded denatured, but not undenatured, acid-solubilized type I collagen. It also degraded bovine serum albumin, while the collagenase from Clostridium histolyticum did not. These results indicated that the serine protease in Masui Dauphine is not collagen-specific. The protease was purified to homogeneity by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and its partial amino acid sequence was determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. BLAST searches against the Viridiplantae (green plants) genome database revealed that the serine protease was a subtilisin-like protease. Our results contrast with the results of the earlier study stating that the serine protease from F. carica is collagen-specific.