EXPLORING THE PHYTOCONSTITUENTS AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF FICUS RACEMOSA LINN

Medicinal plants have long been used in traditional healthcare systems for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Ficus racemosa Linn., commonly known as the cluster fig or gular and belonging to the family Moraceae, is widely distributed in India, Southeast Asia, and Australia. The plant holds an important place in traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani, where different parts including bark, leaves, fruits, roots, and latex are used to treat disorders such as diarrhea, diabetes, inflammation, skin diseases, and gastrointestinal problems. Phytochemical studies have revealed the presence of several bioactive constituents in Ficus racemosa, including flavonoids, tannins, sterols, triterpenoids, phenolic compounds, and glycosides. Important compounds such as β-sitosterol, lupeol, gallic acid, quercetin, rutin, and kaempferol contribute to its therapeutic potential. Various experimental studies have demonstrated that extracts of the plant possess diverse pharmacological activities, including antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, antiulcer, analgesic, and wound-healing effects.