Therapeutic potential and enhanced bioactivity of Ficus carica (Fig) fruit: Exploring bioactive compounds and nano-additive synergies

The present investigation deals with the phytochemical, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and Anti-constipation activities of Ficus carica (FC) fruit. The phytochemical analysis of FC fruit has revealed a rich array of bioactive compounds, highlighting the fruit's complex and diverse natural chemistry together with some secondary metabolites that contribute to its high antioxidant activity which was evident from 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and Ferric reducing power (FRAP) assays. Fruit extracts of FC demonstrated anticancer activity against MCF-7 breast cancer, U2OS osteosarcoma, HepG2 liver cancer, and Huh7it liver cancer cell lines. The anti-inflammatory activity of FC fruit is attributed to steroids and polyphenolic phytochemicals, which collectively exhibit significant anti-inflammatory effects. Fig fruit has potential antidiabetic and anti-obesogenic effects as compared to the leaves and stem bark. To enhance the performance of FC fruit on human health, future perspectives such as determining the complete profiles of phytochemical compounds, best production areas, and the optimum conditions and processes for this fruit are also presented. The potential for nano-additives to increase the bioactivity of FC fruit is also highlighted in this review, providing new opportunities for their use in health-promoting initiatives. The current review examined the phytochemical, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammation, anti-diabetic, and anti-constipation activities of the fruit of FC. While learned pharmacological properties are largely summarised from a survey of published literature, this review also emphasises the emerging application of nano-additives to augment the bioactivities of FC and offers new translational ideas for biomedical applications.