Anti-diabetic potential of Ficus racemosa: current state and prospect especially in the developing countries

Abstract

As about 50% of the Bangladeshi population is at risk of diabetes each year, the majority of people, especially in rural areas, use herbal medicine alone or alongside prescription drugs for diabetes management. Out of a large number of herbal drugs stated to possess anti-diabetic activity in the Ayurvedic system of medicine, Ficus racemosa is being widely used by the traditional practitioners in the prevention and treatment of diabetes over many centuries in Bangladesh. The fruit, bark, latex, seeds or leaves of F. racemosa plant have been reported to decrease blood glucose levels and improve body weight in diabetic animals when administered in different pharmaceutical preparations and is, therefore, imperative to further investigation. The present review summarize data about phytochemical properties and biological activities of F. racemosa plants and provide scientific evidence for further development and utilization as a potential anti-diabetic drug.