UNASSIGNED: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the antioxidant effect, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory effect and phytochemical screening of different extracts of aerial root extract of Ficus benghalensis using in-vitro methods.
UNASSIGNED: The aerial root extract was prepared by successive extraction method using different organic solvents having increasing order of polarity. FB aerial root extract was screened for preliminary phytochemical analysis. FB aerial root extracts were evaluated for in-vitro acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effect by the Ellman\'s method and anti-oxidant potential by DPPH assay and hydroxyl radical neutralizing assay.
UNASSIGNED: Preliminary phytochemical screening of FB extracts indicate the existence of the phytochemicals such as phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, anthraquinones, tannins and steroids. The results of the DPPH assay, hydroxyl radical scavenging assay and AChE inhibitory assay show that chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts are having significant antioxidant activity and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effect as compared to the other extracts, respectively.
UNASSIGNED: The results of the current study suggest that the aerial root extract of FB might be a potential drug source for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer disease.

UNASSIGNED: Ficus benghalensis L. is traditionally used to manage diabetes; also used in various herbal formulations, and is indicated as an insulin sensitizer. Hence, present work attempted in identifying the probable lead hits to promote glucose uptake via computational approach followed by experimental evaluation of hydroalcoholic extract of Ficus benghalensis L. bark in yeast cells.
UNASSIGNED: The in vitro assay for glucose uptake was performed in the baker yeast whereas in-silico study involved retrieving the phytoconstituents from open sources, and predicting for probable targets of diabetes followed by drug-likeness score, probable side effects, and ADMET profile. Homology modeling was performed to construct the target protein glucose transporter-2. In addition, the binding affinity of each ligand with glucose transporter was predicted using AutoDock 4.2.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 17 phytoconstituents from F. benghalensis were identified to possess the anti-diabetic effects. Among them, 4-methoxybenzoic acid scored the highest drug-likeness score and lupeol acetate had the maximum binding affinity of -8.02 kcal/mol with 9 pi-interactions via Tyr324, Phe323, Ile319, Ile200, Ile28, Phe24, and Ala451. Similarly, the extract showed the highest glucose uptake efficacy in yeast cells at 500 µg/mL.
UNASSIGNED: Herein the present study reflected the probable activity of the phytoconstituents from F. benghalensis in promoting the glucose uptake via the in silico and in vitro approaches.

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.

The screening of hair follicles, dermal papilla cells, and keratinocytes through in vitro, in vivo, and histology has previously been reported to combat alopecia. Ficus benghalensis has been used conventionally to cure skin and hair disorders, although its effect on 5α-reductase II is still unknown. Currently, we aim to analyze the phytotherapeutic impact of F. benghalensis leaf extracts (FBLEs) for promoting hair growth in rabbits along with in vitro inhibition of the steroid isozyme 5α-reductase II. The inhibition of 5α-reductase II by FBLEs was assessed by RP-HPLC, using the NADPH cofactor as the reaction initiator and Minoxin (5%) as a positive control. In silico studies were performed using AutoDock Vina to visualize the interaction between 5α-reductase II and the reported phytoconstituents present in FBLEs. Hair growth in female albino rabbits was investigated by applying an oral dose of the FBLE formulation and control drug to the skin once a day. The skin tissues were examined by histology to see hair follicles. Further, FAAS, FTIR, and antioxidants were performed to check the trace elements and secondary metabolites in the FBLEs. The results of RP-HPLC and the binding energies showed that FBLEs reduced the catalytic activity of 5α-reductase II and improved cell proliferation in rabbits. The statistical analysis (p < 0.05 or 0.01) and percentage inhibition (>70%) suggested that hydroalcoholic FBLE has more potential in increasing hair growth by elongating hair follicle\'s anagen phase. FAAS, FTIR, and antioxidant experiments revealed sufficient concentrations of Zn, Cu, K, and Fe, together with the presence of polyphenols and scavenging activity in FBLE. Overall, we found that FBLEs are potent in stimulating hair follicle maturation by reducing the 5α-reductase II action, so they may serve as a principal choice in de novo drug designing to treat hair loss.

A total of 21 different bioactives were identified from F. benghalensis in which 3 molecules, i.e., apigenin, 3\',4\',5,7-tetrahydroxy-3-methoxyflavone, and kaempferol were predicted to target the highest number of proteins involved in diabetic pathogenesis in which protein tyrosine phosphatase 1b was primarily targeted. Similarly, a docking study identified ursolic acid to have the highest binding affinity with protein tyrosine phosphatase 1b. The combined synergic network analysis identified PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to be primarily modulated followed by the calcium signaling pathway. Similarly, in oral glucose tolerance test, we observed the efficacy of hydroalcoholic extract of F. benghalensis to lower the total area under the curve of glucose and increase total area under curve of insulin for 2 hours. Likewise, hydroalcoholic extract reversed the altered homeostatic hepatic enzymes after 28 days of treatments. Similarly, the extract also enhanced the antioxidant enzymes level like catalase and superoxide dismutase in liver homogenate. In summary, hydroalcoholic extract of F. benghalensis bark may act as an antidiabetic agent by enhancing the glycolysis, decreasing gluconeogenesis, promoting glucose uptake, enhancing insulin secretion, and maintaining pancreatic β-cell mass via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and downregulating the function of  protein tyrosine phosphatase 1b.
UNASSIGNED: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-021-02788-7.

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, Ficus benghalensis L. is used to treat metabolic disorders and is also recorded in the Ayurvedic pharmacopeia of India. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-diabetic property of hydroalcoholic extract/fraction(s) of F. benghalensis L. bark via in silico, in vitro, and ex vivo approach.
METHODS: Enzyme inhibitory activity, glucose uptake in rat hemidiaphragm, and glucose permeability, and adsorption assays were performed using in vitro and ex vivo methods as applicable. Further, the PASS was used to identify the probable lead enzyme inhibitors. The presence of predicted enzyme inhibitors was confirmed via the LC-MS. Similarly, the docking of ligands with respective targets was performed using autodock4.0.
RESULTS: Flavonoids rich fraction possessed the highest α-amylase, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity followed by maximum efficacy for glucose uptake in rat hemidiaphragm. Similarly, the hydroalcoholic extract showed the highest efficacy to inhibit glucose diffusion. Likewise, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid was predicted for the highest pharmacological activity for α-amylase, ursolic acid for PTP1B, and apigenin for α-glucosidase inhibition respectively. The LC-MS analysis also identified the presence of the above hit molecules in the hydroalcoholic extract.
CONCLUSIONS: The analogs of 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, apigenin, and ursolic acid could be the choice of lead hits as the α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and PTP1B inhibitors respectively. Additionally, the majority of secondary metabolites from the hydroalcoholic extract of F. benghalensis may be involved in enhancing the glucose uptake to support the process of glycogenesis.

In the present study, the use of silver oxide nanoparticles (Ag2O NPs) synthesized using Ficus benghalensis prop root extract (FBPRE) as a reducing and stabilizing agent is reported and evaluated for its antibacterial activity against dental bacterial strains. The effects of pH, extract concentration, metal ion concentration, and contact time were studied to confirm the optimum production of Ag2O NPs. Our results suggest that, by increasing the extract concentration and the time frame, there will be a significant increase in the formation of nanoparticles. The UV-vis adsorption spectra show the absorbance peak in the range of 430 nm, and FTIR spectral peaks indicate that the phytochemicals in the extract are responsible for the formation of the nanoparticles. The HR-TEM image, SAED, and XRD pattern confirmed the morphology (spherical), silver oxide 42.7 nm and silver 51.4 nm, and crystalline nature of the obtained nanoparticles, respectively. The blend of FBPRE and Ag2O NPs showed excellent antibacterial activities against the two-dental bacteria Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli sp. The study results suggest that the blend of synthesized Ag2O NPS and FBPRE will be useful in tooth paste as a germicidal agent after extensive investigation with animal models.

The antibacterial activity of methanol extracts of Ficus benghalensis (prop-root) and Leucaena leucocephala (pod seed) was evaluated by measurement of zone of inhibition against pathogenic bacteria, Escherichia coli and Aeromonas hydrophila. Control artificial feed and artificial feed supplemented with 5% powder of F. benghalensis and L. leucocephala were prepared. Juvenile Clarias gariepinus were divided into four groups, acclimatized to laboratory conditions and fed with respective feeds for 20 days prior to the experiment. Immunomodulatory response of supplementary feed was studied by challenging the fish intraperitoneally at weekly intervals, with A. hydrophila. One set of fish, not challenged with A. hydrophila was used as a negative control, to analyze any detrimental effect of supplementary feed, while positive control, comprised of challenged fish fed with non-supplemented feed. Other two groups of fish were challenged with A. hydrophila and fed with respective supplementary feeds. Blood was collected on weekly intervals for four weeks and serum samples were analyzed to evaluate the damage of fish by A. hydrophila through liver function tests. The increase in the levels of Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and Serum Glutamic pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) in positive control group indicated the damage of liver & kidney. However the levels did not change significantly in fish fed with supplementary feeds when compared to negative control group. Nitric oxide, SOD, ALP and lipid peroxidase indicated lower stress levels in these fish compared to positive control. Fish fed with supplementary feed showed increased lysozyme activity and phagocytic index indicating an increase in non-specific immune response. The immunoglobulin levels of in serum were analyzed by homologous sandwich ELISA, which showed higher antibody production in fish fed with supplementary feed. The current study suggests conclusively, immunostimulatory role of F. benghalensis (prop-roots) and L. leucocephala (pod seed) in C. gariepinus when supplemented in artificial feed.

Wound healing is the process of repair that follows injury to the skin and other soft tissues. Following injury, an inflammatory response occurs and the cells below the dermis (the deepest skin layer) begin to increase collagen (connective tissue) production. Later, the epithelial tissue (the outer skin) is regenerated. There are three stages to the process of wound healing: inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Traditionally, Ficus benghalensis is used for wound healing. Since no detailed scientific data are available regarding the wound-healing activity of F. benghalensis, the present study was designed to explore the same. The wound-healing efficacy of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of F. benghalensis was evaluated in excision and incision wound models. The parameters studied include rate of wound contraction, period of complete epithelialization, and tensile strength of incision wound. Student\'s t test was used to analyze the results obtained from the present study and P<0.05 was considered significant. Both the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of F. benghalensis were found to possess significant wound-healing activity, which was evidenced by decrease in the period of epithelialization, increase in the rate of wound contraction and skin-breaking strength. The present study has demonstrated that the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of F. benghalensis have properties that render them capable of promoting accelerated wound-healing activity compared with placebo control.

The aqueous extract of the aerial roots the Indian Banyan, Ficus benghalensis L. (Family: Moraceae) was evaluated for its effect on both specific and non-specific immunity. This extract exhibited a significant increase in percentage phagocytosis by human neutrophils in the in vitro tests. It exhibited promising immunostimulant activity at doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight in SRBC induced hypersensitivity reaction and hemagglutination reaction in rats. The aqueous extract was found to stimulate the cell mediated and antibody mediated immune responses.