Therapeutic Potential of <i>Ficus benjamina</i>: Phytochemical Identification and Investigation of Antimicrobial, Anticancer, Pro-Wound-Healing, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties
<i>Ficus benjamina</i> is a common park tree, with previous reports of some medicinal properties. In this work, we identified and explored phytochemicals from <i>F. benjamina</i> for potential antimicrobial, pro-wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and effect on cancer cell line...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Molecules |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/9/1961 |
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| Summary: | <i>Ficus benjamina</i> is a common park tree, with previous reports of some medicinal properties. In this work, we identified and explored phytochemicals from <i>F. benjamina</i> for potential antimicrobial, pro-wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and effect on cancer cell lines’ proliferation, both experimentally and bioinformatically. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was performed to identify the volatile compounds. The nonvolatile active components of the extract were identified by HPLC and LC-ESI-MS. We found that some drug-resistant microorganisms (<i>Escherichia coli</i>, <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>, <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i>, <i>Serratia marcescens</i>, and <i>Salmonella enteritidis</i>) were inhibited by the extract, the 80% fraction, and all the identified flavonoids except quercetin 3-<i>O</i>-rutinoside. Furthermore, the extract and above-mentioned compound also inhibited the growth of biofilm-producing bacterium. The extract and 80% fraction were very potent (<i>p</i> < 0.001) at inducing death of MCF7 and U87 cancer cell cultures and were more effective in that than the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin which served as a positive control. Additionally, the extract of <i>F. benjamina</i>, the 80% fraction, and selected phytochemicals had pronounced pro-wound-healing properties. Finally, the extracts, the 80% fraction, caffeic acid, kaempferol 3-<i>O</i>-rutinoside, and kaempferol 3-<i>O</i>-robinobioside significantly inhibited the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and IL-8 (<i>p</i> < 0.001). In conclusion, this comprehensive research revealed convincing and promising indications of significant therapeutic potential of a <i>F. benjamina</i> extract and its active phytochemicals. |
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| ISSN: | 1420-3049 |