Genotoxic and antimutagenic activity of Ficus carica extracts

Abstract

Genotoxicity assessment is indispensable in analyzing various substances such as cosmetics, natural products, food beverages, etc. The sole intent is to raise the safety standards of these substances and prevent hazardous health events upon their usage. Conventional therapies are being annulled by people due to their cost and adverse effects and are being lured by traditional folklore medicines. Natural medicine has been used since the dawn of humanity and led to the belief that "natural means safe". However, this is truly misleading, as natural products could be toxic and lead to adverse consumption. Consequently, to provide evidence-based data and maintain transparency in the information related to natural/traditional medicine, stringent investigational testing must be made mandatory. Before a product is made available, genotoxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and reproductive toxicity assessments must be made and approved by regulatory agencies. Antimutagenicity/genotoxicity tests involve various endpoints; hence screening is complex and difficult. Some commonly used tests include Comet assay, micronucleus test, and Allium cepa assay. Antimutagenic compounds are chemopreventive. In a quest to get a better drug with fewer side effects, and economics that could improve quality of life, scientists are exploring phytochemicals that could be developed into novel therapeutic drugs for treating different diseases. Ficus carica is one of the oldest cultivated fruit with numerous therapeutic benefits reported. However, data related to genotoxicity and antimutagenic effects of Ficus carica is meagre. This chapter tried to summarize the genotoxic, antimutagenic effects of Ficus carica and substantiate them with appropriate evidence.