Figs grow on a fruit tree called the fig tree or Ficus carica. It is native to the Middle East and the Mediterranean. It belongs to the Moraceae family.
It is a high-fibre fruit with many health benefits. They contain phytosterols, anthocyanins, flavonoids, amino acids, fatty acids (53% linolenic acid and 21% linoleic acid) and phenolic compounds.
Among the flavonoids, the most important is luteolin which has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties (JANG & al., 2008). Figs also contain quercetin which is known to be antioxidant, gastro-protective and carcinogenesis-inhibiting (MURRAY, 1996) ; as well as iron, potassium, calcium and they are rich in vitamin B3 (OH & al., 2011). Fig leaves and fig tree latex also have health benefits.
In rats with loperamide-induced constipation, administration of figs at doses of 1, 6 and 30 grams per kilogram for 4 weeks improves defecation frequency, weight and water content of faeces. There is also an improvement in peristalsis (LEE & al., 2011).
In a study of 15 Beagle dogs with constipation induced by a high-protein diet and movement restriction, administration of 12 grams of figs per kilogram resulted in increased faecal weight and decreased colonic transit time. The high cellulose content of figs increases the water content and viscosity of faeces (OH & al., 2011).
Fig consumption improves symptoms in patients with functional constipation. It increases the frequency of faecal output, reduces defecation time and improves abdominal pain (KIM & al., 2010).
In conclusion, fig paste is effective both preventively and curatively against constipation (BAEK & al., 2016).
Figs contain anthocyanins, including cyanidin-3-rhamnoglucoside (C3R) which is an antioxidant that inhibits lipid peroxidation and scavenges reactive oxygen derivatives (SALOMON & al., 2010).
It has been shown that the higher the polyphenol content (especially anthocyanins) in figs, the greater its antioxidant activity (TURAN & CELIK, 2016).
After fig consumption, plasma antioxidant capacity is significantly higher for 4 hours (VINSON & al., 2005).
Figs contain prenylated isoflavone-derived compounds that possess anti-inflammatory and antitumour effects (LIU & al., 2019).
Fig leaf extracts are anti-inflammatory: they reduce inflammatory paw edema caused by carrageenan in rats (PATIL & PATIL, 2011 ; ALI & al., 2012).
Fig leaves and fruits have hypoglycaemic effect in streptozotocin and alloxane induced diabetes in rats.
Fig leaves have a cholesterol-lowering effect. They lower total cholesterol and the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol, in parallel with a reduction in hyperglycaemia in diabetic rats (CANAL & al., 2000).
Fig prevents weight loss and increases survival index in diabetic rats (PEREZ & al., 1996 ; EL-SHOBAKI & al., 2010).
In a study conducted on rats with ethanol-induced liver damage, it was shown that fig supplementation decreases serum levels of liver enzymes, improves the antioxidant defence system and increases the levels of the antioxidant malondialdehyde in the tissues. Fig attenuates liver damage and therefore protects rats from ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity (TURAN &CELIK, 2016).
In addition, Ficus carica leaf extract exhibits hepatoprotective effect during carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats (KRISHNA & al., 2007).
Ficus carica leaf extracts exhibit strong antibacterial activity against different bacterial species including Streptococcus gordonii, Streptococcus anginosus, Prevotella intermedia, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis. However, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus are less sensitive, with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 2.5-10 mg/ml (JEONG & al., 2009).
Fig latex shows effective antifungal activity against various species including Aspergillus fumigatus, Microsporum canis, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans (AREF & al., 2010).
In mice, administration of Ficus carica leaf extract exhibits immunostimulatory properties and improves cellular and humoral responses (PATIL & al., 2010).
Ficus carica polysaccharides stimulate mouse dendritic cells in vitro: they promote their maturation, induce the production of cytokines such as IL-12, interferon-γ, IL-6 and IL-23. They enhance their ability to stimulate T cells and induce their proliferation (TIAN & al., 2014).
