Antibacterial Activity of Ficus Bengalensis

Ficus benghalensis, also known as Bengal or Indian Fig, is a tree native to Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. It is used in oriental systems of medicine, such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy to treat bacterial infections, such as

diarrhea, leucorrhoea (genital infection), and other disorders.

Leaf and Root Preparations

• According to the International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences, leaf buds of Ficus bengalensis should be mixed with sugar and honey to treat diarrhoea. A decoction (method of extracting chemicals through boiling) of leaf buds and aerial roots mixed with honey treat upset stomach, vomiting and thirst, while aerial roots on their own are also used against vomiting and leucorrhoea, ulcers, leprosy, allergic conditions of skin, and abscesses.

Bark and Seed Preparations

• The bark is useful in cases of haemoptysis (expectoration of blood during lung infections), haemorrhages, diarrhoea, dysentery, diabetes, ulcers, skin diseases, gonorrhea, leucorrhoea, and hyperpiesia, as stated in the International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences.

  The latex (milky juice from the bark) is applied on skin infections and bruises. Seed extracts are beneficial to treat ulcers, soles of the feet when cracked or inflamed and in rheumatism, among others.

Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas and Klebsiella

• The antimicrobial activity of Ficus bengalensis was evaluated against the pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia in an in vitro condition during an experiment at the School of Biosciences and Technology of VIT University.

  The related bacteria cause infectious diseases, such as pneumonia and food poisoning, in humans and animals. The number of bacteria were significantly reduced when in contact with barks extracts of F. bengalensis, confirming the antibacterial activity of the plant.

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Tannins and Saponins

• The researchers also found out that the high levels of tannins and saponins found in the bark of F. bengalensis could likely be responsible for its antibacterial properties.

  Tannins are chemical substances with an astringent flavor, while saponins produce a soap-like foaming when in contact with aqueous solutions. Both composts are abundant in plants and have anti-inflammatory effects.

Other Ficus species

• As reported by the Department of Biosciences, Saurashtra University, the genus Ficus is part of the Moraceae family. Like F.bengalensis, the species F. religiosa L., F. tisela Roxb and F. racemosa, largelly cultivated in India, also have antibacterial properties.