Exploring the pharmacological properties of Ficus sur Forssk. and Ficus carica L. as medicinal plants with antibacterial and anti-biofilm Potential

• Ficus sur generally had better antioxidant activity than Ficus carica • Both plants species had broad-spectrum antibacterial activity • The F. sur methanol extract demonstrated broad-spectrum antibiofilm activity • Sugar content in plant crude extracts could inadvertently promote biofilm formation . The growing interest in plant-based remedies and the challenge of antimicrobial resistance have increased the focus on medicinal plants as viable alternatives for managing infectious diseases and reducing reliance on conventional antibiotics. This study explores the antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-biofilm properties of Ficus sur Forssk. and Ficus carica L. The total polyphenol content was quantified using colorimetric techniques, and the antioxidant activity was measured using DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the broth micro-dilution assay. The Ficus carica hexane extract exhibited the highest phenolic (55.54±6.25 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (195.93±1.88 mg QE/g) contents, while the methanol extract of Ficus sur contained the highest tannin content (32.12±5.85 mg GAE/g). The methanol extract of F. sur demonstrated the highest DPPH scavenging activity (89.98% at 250 μg/ml), whereas F. carica showed lower antioxidant activity. Additionally, the methanol extract of F. sur exhibited the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (0.31 mg/ml) against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . It also effectively inhibited biofilm formation by Enterococcus faecalis and initial cell attachment of E. coli . The results confirm that the selected Ficus species possess significant antioxidant and antibacterial activities along with notable polyphenolic content. Further research should explore how the nutritional content of crude extracts, especially sugars, may inadvertently enhance biofilm biomass. .