Abstract

A REVIEW ON BIOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF FICUS BENGALENSIS

Shubhangi P. Pulate*, Ravindra B. Laware, Somnath R. Thange, Rutuja B. Tambe and Jyoti J. Vikhe

Abstract

Ficus bengalensis, a genus of family moraceae is a tropical, deciduous, evergreen tree with more than 800 species and about 40 genera of the mulberry family. Ficus bengalensis is known as common name bargad and cultivated as a garden tree or spiritual tree. The leaves of Ficus bengalensis used as ulcer protective, leprosy and fever, inflammation (Ayurvedic). The milky juice is aphrodisiac, tonic, vulnerary, maturant also useful in piles, diseases of the nose, gonorrhea. In unani the aerial root is styptic, syphilis, biliousness, dysentery and inflammation of liver. A lot of pharmacological work has been scientifically carried out on various parts of Ficus bengalensis but some other traditionally important therapeutically uses are also remaining to prove till now scientifically as analgesic, antipyretic, anti-ulcerogenic, inflammatory bowel, antimicrobial, antidiabetic activity etc. The various chemical constituents present in Ficus bengalensis are bengalenosides, flavonoids and leucocyanidin glycoside.

Keywords: Ficus bengalensis, Bargad, Bengalenosides, Flavonoids.