INTRODUCTION:

Ficus bengalensis Linn. belonging to family –Moraceae is commonly known as banyan tree or bar or vata in Ayurveda. Other vernacular names are Bahupada (Sanskrit), Banyan tree (English), Bar or Bot (Bengali), Vad or vadlo (Gujarati), wad (Marathi), Peddamarri (Telugu), Bohar (Punjabi). It is a large evergreen tree distributed all over India from sub Himalayan region and in the deciduous forest of Deccan and south India. It is grown in gardens and road sides for shades.^1,2 This tree is considered to be sacred in many places in India¹. Ficus bengalensis is a remarkable tree of India sends down its branches and great number of shoots, which take root and become new trunk³. It is a very large tree reaching up to 30m in height, sending down many aerials roots from branches and thus extending the growth of the tree indefinitely; young part softly pubescent. Leaves coriaceous, 10-20by 5-12.5cm, ovate or orbicular-ovate to elliptic obtuse, entire, glabrescent above, glabrous or minutely pubescent beneath, base rounded or subcordate, 3-7nerved with about 5-7pairs of lateral nerve above ones and distinct reticulate venation between peduncles 1.3-5cm stout; stipules 2-2.5cm long, coriaceous.

Receptacles about 2cm in diameter, sessile in pairs, auxillary, glabose, puberulous, red when ripe, with 2 broad rounded nearly glabrous coriaceous basal bract. Male flowers rather numerous near the mouth of receptacles; sepals⁴, lanceolate, stamen; gall flower: perianth as in male; style short, female flower: perianth shorter than in the male; style elongate ⁴.

Fig.1- Ficus bengalensis Linn.

Medicinal uses:

The milky juice is extremely applied to alleviate pains, bruises, rheumatism and lumbago. It is considered as a valuable application to the sole of the feet when cracked or inflamed and is also applied to the teeth and gums as a remedy for toothache⁵.

Fresh fruits are used as a source of dietary fibre. Seeds are regarded as a refrigerant and tonic. Leaves (fresh) are applied, heated as a poultice, to relieve abscesses, and after they turned yellow, are given with roasted rice in decoction as a diaphoretic. Leaf juice is used as vermicide. An aqueous extract of the aerial roots along with salt is given in diabetes. The aqueous extract of fresh leaves and litter showed strong allelopathic potential (phytotoxicity). The root bark showed antidiabetic activity in pituitary diabetes and alloxan induced diabetes. A decoction of the bark is given in scabies. The root fibres are recommended as a remedy for gonorrhoea. The tender ends of the hanging roots are prescribed to stop obstinate vomiting. Bark is tonic, astringent, cooling and hypoglycemic. The fruits are cooling and tonic. An infusion of the bark is reputed as a powerful tonic in the treatment of diabetes. Plant is used in ophthalmic and other eye troubles, mouth sores, fever, madness, atrophy, emaciation or cathexy, cholera and rinderpest. Paste of root applied to scalp to grow hair long and used for menorrhagia. It cures erysipelas, burning sensation and vaginal disorders. Roots fibres are used in gonorrhoea. Leaves are applied as poultice on swelling and inflamed parts for relief. Bark is astringent, cooling and alleviates vitiated kapha and pitta. An infusion of bark cures dysentery, nervous disorders, diarrhoea, leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, and reduce blood sugar in diabetes. Infusion of young buds is used in diarrhoea and dysentery and young tips of roots for obstinate vomiting. Juice mixed with sesamum oil is applied to burns. Latex used in genital disorders. Seeds are cooling and tonic. Powder of seeds is purgative^6,7,8.

Alcoholic extract of stem bark exhibited antidiabetic activity on alloxan induced diabetes in albino rats. It is also able to bring down the level of serum cholesterol and blood urea. The leucocyanidin glycoside (ED_50,100mg/kg) demonstrated 11 per cent or more hypoglycemic action in normal rats. A low dose of insulin in combination with this drug at ED₅₀ in long term treatment of alloxan-induced diabetes not only equalled in response the effects brought about by a double dose of insulin (in respect of body weight, urine and blood sugar) but also in amelioration of serum cholesterol and triglycerides. These results indicates an insulin sparing action of the leucocyanidin glycoside if used in combination therapy⁵.

Phytoconstituents:

The hypoglycemic activity of the extract is attributed to a glucoside, bengalenoside and the flavonoid glycosides, leucocyanidin 3-o-β-D-galactosyl cellobioside 5,3’- dimethyl ether and leucopelargonidin-3-o-α-L-rhamnoside 5,7-dimethyl ether. Bengalenoside exhibited twice of the crude drug extract and is half as potent as tolbutamide. The leucopelargonidin glycoside is practically nontoxic and may be useful in controlling diabetes with hyperlipidemia.⁵

Fruit contain oil, albuminoids; carbohydrates; fibre, and ash 5 to 6%. The bark contains a hypoglycemic principle (glycoside). Bengalenoside a hypoglycemic principle in bark. Three methyl esters of leucoantocyanins along with methyl ether of leucoanthocyanidin present in stem bark. Leaves contain a triterpene, friedelin and β- sitosterol. flavonol, quercetin-3 galactoside and rutin. Heartwood contain tigilic acid ester of β -taraxosterol^{7, 9}. Three ketones were isolated from the stem bark of FB, they are 20-tetratriacontene- 2-one, 6-heptatriacontene-10-one, pentatriacontan-5-one and two other compounds, beta-sitosterol-alpha-D-glucose and meso-inositol have also been isolated¹⁰. A dimethoxy derivative of leucocynidin, 3-O-beta-D-galactosyl cellobioside was also isolated and its antidiabetic activity has been demonstrated¹¹. A glycoside of leucopelargonidin was also isolated from the bark of Ficus bengalensis and its antidiabetic effects have been reported¹².

Vohra and Parasar¹³ obtained authenticated samples of bark and leaves of Ficus bengalensis. These were air dried and pulverized. They found Moisture content 6 and 5.37, total ash 12.29 and 9.116, water soluble ash 6.422 and 8.938, acid insoluble ash 57.971 and 60.053 per cent in leaf and bark respectively. They determined percentage extractabilities with different solvents as 2.91 and 3.0 per cent in solvent ether, 20.625 and 10.5 percent in ethanol 90%, 4.5 and 5.0 per cent in distilled water of leaf and bark respectively. Qualitative analysis revealed the presence of reducing sugars, glycosides, tannins and volatile oils and absence of alkaloids, resins, and saponins.

Subhramanyam and Misra¹⁴ isolated Three ketones: 20- tetratriacetone-2- one, 6-heptatriacetone-10-and pentatriacetone-5-one, and two other compounds, β-sitostirol-D-glucoside and meso -inositol from the stem from the bark of F.bengalensis.

Haq et al.¹⁵ Studied that extraction of the pre-treated fruits of F.bengalensis with hot water, 4% alkali and 10% alkali afforded the same polysaccharides. This on hydrolysis yielded mainly D-xylose and L-arabinose together with small amount of D –glucose and D-galactose. Fractionation of the polysaccharide gave xylan. Methylation of the xylan followed by methanolysis and hydrolysis provide evidensis for the presence of 1-4 and1-3 linked xylose unit in the polymer.

Brahmchari and Augusti¹⁶had isolated three flavonoid compound A, B and C from ethanolic extract of the bark of F. bengalensis. They extracted the dry bark powder of F. bengalensis in a soxhlet with different grades of petroleum ether, diethyl ether and 90 per cent ethanol successively. The active ethanolic extract, after the removal of alcohol under reduced pressure, was further extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate soluble fraction on concentration, dehydration, and precipitation with petroleum ether (40°-60°C). Finally gave a colourless crystalline product (compound A) which melted at 218°C. The ethyl acetate insoluble portion was further extracted with water. The water soluble fraction on concentration, yielded a red mass which was extracted with alcohol and on addition of ethyl ether to the alcoholic solution, a buff coloured crystalline product (compound B) was obtained. It was recrystallised from 50 per cent alcohol. It melted at 2.0°C. By a similar procedure an amorphous red mass which darkened at 220°C (compound C) was obtained from the water insoluble portion. Compounds A and C have been identified as different form of some leucoanthocyanidine, while compound B proved to be a leucoanthrocyanin glycoside.

Bagchi et al.¹⁷ studied that Mangroves leaves in general have characteristic low triglycerides and simply fatty acids. Fatty acids with C16 and C18 chain are comparatively frequent, with C16 chain being predominant in plant of edge communities. The presence of C18 chain in wax ester is also an important character of mangrove leaves. On the contrary, some fatty acids common in leaves of F. bengalensis, a non mangrove plant with fleshy leaves and now adopted in reclaimed island are not found in mangroves.

Ali and Qadri¹⁸ had investigated the amino acid profile of some fruits and seeds of indigenous medicinal plants. The paper chromatography of the aqueous extract of the fruit edible part of F. bengalensis showed the presence of asparaginase and tyrosine.

Bhar and Thakur¹⁹ characterized surface hydrocarbons from the fresh leaves of F. hispida, F. bengalensis, F. infactoria and their relative distribution determined through gas chromatographic studies. The predominant occurrence of C14, C16, C18 and C20 alkanes from the same plant (F. bengalensis) collected in different month was unusual and might have a bearing on taxonomy based on chemical characteristic.

Subhramanyam and Misra²⁰ isolated three methyl ether of leucoanthocyanins (delphinidin-3-O- -L-rhamnoside, pelargonidine-3-O- - L-rhamnoside, and leucosyanidin-3-O- -D-galactosyl cellobioside) from the stem bark of F. bengalensis along with new methyl ether of leucoanthrocyanidin. The structure was proved by spectral data and degradation studies.

The tiglic acid ester of -taraxasterol was isolated in o.4% yield from the heartwood of F.bengalensis. The flavanol of the leaves were identified as quercetin 3-galactoside and rutin.

Leucocyanidin

2-4-Hyudroxy-phenyl)-chroman-3,4,5,7-tetraol (leucopelargonidin, flavan-3,4-diol)

Pharmacological activities

Antidiabetic activity

E. Edwin, et el²¹. used the ethanolic extract of barks and aerial roots of Ficus bengalensis for the study using Alloxan induced diabetic model. The activities of both the extracts at a dose level of 100 mg/kg were compared with reference standard, Glibenclamide 5 mg/kg. The study was done for 14 days and the effects of the extracts were compared with reference standard and control the bark and aerial roots extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg significantly (P< 0.001), (P< 0.01) lowered the blood sugar level of hypoglycaemic rats respectively. Comparatively barks exhibited better activity than aerial roots.

Gupta, et al²², conducted acute and chronic toxicity studies to assess toxicity of a partially purified preparation from the water extract of Ficus bengalensis which has significant hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic effect on alloxan induced, mild and severe diabetes in rabbits. LD₅₀ of this preparation was found to be 1 gm/kg in rats when given orally. For chronic toxicity studies 3 doses of aqueous preparation were given to 3 groups of rats. First group received 5 times ED₅₀ (50 mg/kg), second group 10 times ED₅₀ (100 mg/kg) and third group 15 times ED₅₀ (150 mg/kg) for 3 months. Fourth group which served as control was given water. After three months, blood was collected for studying biochemical and haematological parameters. Results of study showed that partially purified preparation from Ficus bengalensis is not toxic by all the above mentioned parameters.

Sagrawat H., et al.²³ comparatively evaluated the ethanolic extract of different aerial parts of Ficus bengalensis Linn for their blood glucose lowering activity. Histopathology of the treated groups was carried out to evaluate the betacytotropic activity of various parts of Ficus bengalensis. The ethanolic extract of the fruit, at a dosage of 120 mg/kg body weight, was found to exert a more pronounced antidiabetic activity than the ethanolic extract of the root or bark. The experiment also confirmed the antidiabetic activity of standard drug glibenclamide.

Daniel R.S. et al²⁴, Found the mechanism of action of antiatherogenic and related effects of Ficus bengalensis Linn. Flavonoids in experimental animals. They studied that one moth treatment of alloxan diabetic dogs with a glycoside; viz. Leucopelargonin derivative (100 mg/kg/day) isolated from the bark of F. bengalensis decreased fasting blood sugar and glycosylated haemoglobin by 34% and 28% respectively. Body weight was maintained in both the treated groups while the same was decreased significantly by 10% in the control group. In cholesterol diet fed rats, as the atherogenic index and the hepatic bile acid level and the fecal excretion of the bile acids and neutral sterols increased, the HMGCoA reductase and lipogenic enzyme activities in liver and lipoprotein lipase activity in heart and tissue and plasma LCAT activity and the incorporation of lebelled acetate into free and ester cholesterol in liver decreased significantly. On treatment of two ficus flavonoids, viz. Leucopelargonin and leucocyanin derivatives and another flavonoid quercetin (100 mg/kg/day) the above said effects except on bile acids and sterols and lipogenic enzymes were significantly reversed in the cholesterol fed rats.

Cherian et al²⁵., isolated glycoside of leucopelargonidin from the bark of F. bengalensis, demonstrated significant hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and serum insulin raising effects in moderately diabetic rats with close similarities to the effects of a minimal dose of glibenclamide.

The main difference observed in their effects was that the former significantly enhanced the faecal excretion of sterol and bile acids while the later has no such action even though both controlled hypercholesterolemia.

Murthy P.S. et al²⁶., gave hot water extract of Ficus bengalensis orally to normal rabbits and rabbits with alloxan induced alloxan recovered, mildly diabetic and severely diabetic states, at a single dose of 50 mg/kg/day for three days. After a gap of five days, the water extract was readministered for three days at the same dose level. There was no significant change in fasting blood glucose (FBG), or glucose tolerance test (GTT) in normal rabbits. There was no fall in FBG but improvement in glucose tolerance in alloxan recovered rabbits. In mildly diabetic rabbits there was 55.8% fall in FBG values and an improvement in glucose tolerance. The extract produced 68% fall in FBG values in severely diabetic rabbits, an observation not brought out in any of the earlier work in this plant.

Murthy P.S. et al²⁷., investigated possible mechanism of action of the water extract on serum insulin levels. Since blood glucose and insulin levels reach peak at about one hour during GTT, serum insulin were estimated in fasting sample of blood collected one hour after giving glucose orally. In untreated sub diabetic rabbits since FBG values are nearly normal because of partial preserved beta cell function. Hence the fasting serum insulin level was 20 µu/ml and it continued to be lower (25 µu/ml) even after one hour. However in the treated animals of the same group, there was a significant increase in the serum insulin level to 55 µu/ml. In the severely diabetic rabbits, the FBG was high 257 mg% and serum insulin level was only 7 µu/ml indicating considerable destruction of the pancreas. In such animal treatment with single dose resulted in some increase of serum insulin to 19 µu/ml. These results clearly show that water extract stimulates the release of insulin after oral glucose load.

Cherian and augusti²⁸ isolated Di-methyl ether of leucopelargonin 3-O- -L-rhamnoside from the bark of F. bengalensis showed its median ED (ED50) as 100 mg/kg ,in demonstration about 12% hypoglycemic action in normal rats. Composed to a double of insulin, a low dose of insulin in combination with ED50 dose of the compound for 30 days equated in the maintenance of body weight and control of urine and blood sugar and excelled in amelioration of serum cholesterol and triglycerides in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Cherian et al²⁹ discussed the antidiabetic effect of a dimethoxy derivative of pelargonin 3-O- -L-rhamnoside (250 mg/kg, single dose study and 100 mg/kg/day long term study) isolated from the bark of F. bengalensis has been compared with that of glibenclamide (2 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg/day respectively) in modern diabetic rats. The single dose of glycoside treatment decreased fasting blood glucose by 19% and improved glucose tolerance by 29%. The corresponding effects of glibenclamide were 25%and 66%, respectively, over the control values.

Geetha et al³⁰ studied that leucophinidin derivative isolated from the bark of F. bengalensis demonstrated hypoglycemic action at a dosage of 250mg/kg given both in normal and alloxan diabetic rats.Its action was closely similar to that of glibenclamide (2 mg/kg) tested under the same condition.

Augusti ³¹ reported that Bengalenosides were more active than the crude extract of bark of F. bengalensis, but only half as potent as tolbutamide with respect to hypoglycemic activity both in normal and alloxan diabetic rabbits.

Augusti et al.³² isolated Dimothoxy ether of leucopelargonidin-3-0- -L-rhamnoside from the bark of Indian banyan F. bengalensis Linn. was tested for antidiabetic effect. At a medium effective dose (100 mg/kg) on oral administration, the compound showed significant hypoglycemic and serum insulin raising action in normal and moderately diabetic dogs (induced by alloxan) during a period of two hours.

Achrekar et al.³³ Found that the extract of bark of F. bengalensis caused reduction in blood sugar level. These results were confined in streptozotocin-induced diabetic animals. The oral administration of the extract resulted in enhancement in serum insulin levels in normoglycemic and diabetic rats. The incubation of isolated islets of Langerhans from normal as well as from diabetic animal with each of these plant extract stimulated insulin secretion. These extract inhibited insulinase activity from liver and kidney.

Kumar and Augasti³⁴, A dimethoxy derivative of leucocyandin 3-O-beta-D-galactosyl cellobioside isolated from the bark of F. bengalensis demonstrate antidiabetic action. On oral administration, it decreased blood sugar very significantly at a dosage of 250 mg/kg for a 2 hr period. During one month treatment of the diabetic rats orally with the active principle, at a dosage of 100 mg/kg , there was a significant decrease in blood and urine sugar, certain lipid component in serum and tissue and glucose –6- phosphate activity in liver, but significant increase in body weight and the activities of hexokinase and HMG CoA reductase in tissue as compared to diabetic control . The mechanism of action of the principle may be related to its protective /inhibitory action against the insulin degradative processes.

Hypolipidemic activity:

Shukla et al.³⁵ investigated hypolipidemic effect of a water extract of bark of F. bengalensis in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits. Treatment for one month (50 mg/kg body weight/day) brought down the level of total serum cholesterol (TS) in sub-diabetic and diabetic rabbits (five in each group) from 84 ±11 mg % to 42.7 ±3.1 mg % and51.7 ±4.7, mg% respectively. Low-density cholesterol level and very low-density cholesterol level values from 43 ±10 mg % and 95±24 mg% to 16 ±3 mg% and 29 ±4 mg % were determined in sub –diabetic and diabetic rabbits. Triacylglycerol level before treatment was 121 ±21.6 mg % 416 ±70 mg% in sub-diabetic and diabetic rabbits. Treatment brought to 454 ±5 mg% and 81 ±27.5 mg%.

Hypocholesterlemic activity

Shukla et al.³⁶ investigated hypocholesterolemic effect of water extract of the bark of banyan tree, F. bengalensis, in 3 group of rabbit, 5 in each group. At the end of 5 weeks, water extract not only prevented the elevation serum cholesterol in treated group but also brought down its level to 160 ±14 mg% as compared to untreated group 290 ±42 mg% there was improvement in other parameter of lipid profile namely HDL and LDL+VLDL cholesterol and triacylglycerol.

Antioxidant activity

Augusti et al.³⁷ Studied that carbon tetrachloride feeding (3.2 g/kg/72h) for one month increased the serum and tissue lipid profile significantly and deranged the enzyme which were alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, glutathione reductase, HMG CoA reductase, catalase, glucose 6PDH and malic enzyme in rats. Simultaneously the lipid peroxidation level in liver was also raised. On administration of garlic oil and its major non-polar fraction (NPFGO) and a flavanoid isolated from the bark of Ficus bengalensis Linn. leucopelargonin derivative (100 mg/lg/day), the deleterious effect of CCl4 were significantly inhibited. The order of beneficial effect of the drugs were leucopelargonin NPFGO garlic oil and their effect were comparable to that of vitamin E used at a minimal dose.

Daniel et al.³⁸ obtained Two flavanoid compound 5,7-di-methyl ether of leucopelargonidin 3-O-L-rhamnoside and 5,3-dimethyl ether of leucocyanidin 3-O-D galactosyl cellobiside from the bark of F.bengalensis were evaluated for their antioxidant action in hyperlipidimic rats. The results were compared with the activity of a structurally similar flavanoid, quercetin, a known antioxidant. The compound showed significant antioxidation effects, which might be attributed to their polyphenolic nature.

Shukla et al.³⁹ evaluated the antioxidant effect of aqueous extract of F. bengalensis in hypercholestrolaemic rabbits. Treatment with water extract decreased the serum cholesterol level by 59%, triacylglycerol by 54% and LDL+VLDL- cholesterol by 60 %. In, addition, treatment with this extract led to a decrease in lipid peroxidation as evidenced by fall in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance with a corresponding increase in blood glutathione content. The result shows that the water extract of the bark of Ficus bengalensis has significant antioxidant effect, in addition to hypolipidemic effect.

Antidiarrhoeal activity

Mukherjee et al.⁴⁰ Showed that Ethanol extract of F. bengalensis (hanging roots), Eugenia jambolana Lam. (bark), F.racemosa Linn. (bark) and Leucas lavandulaefolia Rees (aerial parts) have significant inhibition activity against castor oil induced diarrhoea and PGE2 induced enter pooling in rats. These extracts also showed a significant reduction in gastrointestinal motility in charcoal meal tests in rats . The results obtained established the efficacy of all these plant material as anti-diarrhoeal agents.

Antitumor activity

Mousa et al.⁴¹ screened the fruit extract of Ficus sycomorus L., F.benjamina L., F.bengalensisL. and F.religiosa L. for bioactivity. F.bengalensis and F.religiosa demonstrated activity in the brine shrimp test (Artemia saline), which indicated toxicity, where as F.sycomorus and F.benjamina showed no activity. All the fruit exract exhibited antitumor activity in the potato disc bioassays. None of the tested extract showed any marked inhibition on the uptake of calcium into rat pituitary calls. The extracts of the four tested Ficus species had significant antibacterial activity, but no antifungal activity. The results of this preliminary investigation supported the traditional use of these plants in folk medicine for medicine for respiratory disorders and certain skin diseases.

Antiasthamatic activity

Taur et al.⁴² screened Various extract of F. bengalensis bark for its antiallergic and antistress potential in asthma by milk-induced lecocytosis and milk-induced eosiniphilia. Aqueous, ethanol, and ethyl acetate extracts showed significant decrease in leucocytes and eosinophils in the order given while petroleum ether and chloroform extracts were inactive. This showed the application of polar constituent of F. bengalensis bark might be used as antistress and antiallergic agent in asthma.

Wound Healing activity

Biswas and Mukherjee⁴³ found Some Ayurvedic medicinal plants namely, F. bengalensis, Cynodon dactylon, Symplocos racemosa, Rubia cordifolia, Pterocarpus santalinus, F. racemosa, Glyrrhiza glabra, Berberis aristica, Curcuma longa, Centella asiatica, Euphorbia nerifolia and Aloe vera to have wound healing property.

Antimicrobial Activity

Ficus racemosa ethanolic extract showed maximum inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus when compared with Ficus benghalensis ethanolic extract. However standard drug ampicillin showed maximum antimicrobial activity compared with both the plants. it was clearly observed that ethanolic extract of both the plants were having good antimicrobial activity towards Staphylococcus aureus.⁴⁴ The hydro alcoholic extract of Ficus bengalensis Linn was found effective against Actinomyces vicosus (MTCC 7345).⁴⁵

CONCLUSION:

Herbal medicines have been used in medical practice for thousands of years and are recognized as a valuable and readily available resource of healthcare. During the past decades, the contribution of herbal medicines and their preparations has increased greatly in the pharmaceutical industry. However some herbal medicines still need to be studied scientifically, although the experience obtained from their traditional use over the years should not be ignored. A number of phytochemicals isolated from various plants have shown variety of pharmacological activities like antidiabetic, anticancer, antihypertensive, antioxidant, antimicrobial, etc. In this regard, future studies are required to be carried out on Ficus bengalensis for its potential in treating different diseases.

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Received on 05.05.2014 Modified on 30.05.2014

Res. J. Pharmacognosy & Phytochem. 6(3): July-Sept.2014; Page 137-143