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This study evaluated the relationship of biodiversity with the patch size of village common forests (VCF) by analyzing floral biodiversity based on data from 25 selected VCFs in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), Bangladesh. The study took 225 quadratic plots by taking nine 10 m × 10 m plots from each VCF—three from each of base, mid, and top hill slopes. The coefficient of similarity (CS) among VCFs and forest community features including species richness, basal area, and popular diversity indices were calculated. Generalized linear model (GLM) assessed the bearings of patch size, slope, and elevation on stand parameters. In all, the study recorded the occurrence of 165 plant species from 52 families. Euphorbiaceae was the dominant family with 18 species. Seven least concerned and four threatened species as per the IUCN red data list of Bangladesh were found in VCFs. Vitex peduncularis had the highest importance value index (IVI) score followed by Lannea coromandelica and Ficus hispida. The mean CS of the VCFs was 0.54. The VCFs were rich in biodiversity, as indicated by observed species richness (644 species/ha), stem density (7111 plants/ha), basal area (65.56 m2/ha). Scores in biodiversity indices, viz. Shannon–Wiener diversity index (2.59), Simpson index (0.90), and evenness index (0.61), also concluded rich but heterogeneous biodiversity among VCFs comparable to other natural forests in the country. The GLM revealed the absence of significant (p ≤ 0.05) bearings of patch size, elevation, or slope on community parameters. The insensitivity of forest community parameters to patch size and elevation indicated the value of conserving VCFs irrespective of sizes and locations.

Selecting tree species to plant for forest ecosystem restoration is critical but problematic. Knowing tree species’ climatic niches can help, but such information is limited for most tropical tree species. Consequently, the research presented here explored the use of climate and species record location data, to map the potential distribution of four tree species across tropical and subtropical Asia based on their modelled climatic niches. All were framework species, of proven effectiveness for forest restoration: Choerospondias axillaris (Roxb.) B.L. Burtt and A.W. Hill, Ficus hispida L.f., Hovenia dulcis Thunb., and Prunus cerasoides Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don. Potential species distributions were projected onto maps of known climatic conditions using the maximum entropy algorithm in Maxent software to predict where the climate is conducive for including each species in forest restoration trials. The models predicted species location very well for F. hispida and H. dulcis and fairly well for P. cerasoides and C. axillaris. Climatically suitable areas for C. axillaris were located mostly north of the equator, whilst those of F. hispida, H. dulcis and P. cerasoides extended south of the equator. The importance of each climatic niche variable differed among species. Driest-month precipitation was critical for F. hispida, as well as mean dry-season temperature for C. axillaris and P. cerasoides and cold-season precipitation for H. dulcis. In addition to aiding species selection for forest restoration, potential distribution maps based on climatic niche models can indicate where novel species for tree plantations might be successful and where species might become invasive. Applying such techniques to a large number of species will be needed to significantly improve species selection for forest ecosystem restoration.

Metallic corrosion is a serious industrial problem due to its impact on economic losses and unavoidable structural damage. In this work, Ficus hispida leaf extract (FHLE) is employed in 1 M H2SO4 as a corrosion control agent on mild steel. FHLE effect on corrosion reduction of mild steel has been studied using non-electrochemical and electrochemical methods. From the experimental results, it is proved that the protection efficiency rises with increase in FHLE concentration and diminishes with increase in temperature. Tafel polarization plots suggest that FHLE prevents corrosion both anodic and cathodic area. The charge transfer resistance increased and the double-layer capacitance diminished when the FHLE concentration increased which is verified by AC impedance data. Various spectroscopic studies have affirmed the presence of a protective film on the electrode surfaces.

Background: Traditional knowledge has been a legacy of the past to the present. Barks of Ficus hispida Linn. and leaves of Ficus pomifera Wall. (Moraceae) have been used traditionally for the treatment of diabetes in North-east India and many other places. As many drugs have been developed from traditional plants, the authors have taken up the plants for the study of hypoglycemic activity. Objective: To investigate the hypoglycemic activities of the triterpenoids isolated from the plants and their antioxidant activities. Methods: The bioactive compounds were determined by biochemical analysis, antioxidant activity using DPPH method. Hypoglycemic activity was detected using glucose tolerance test in normal rats and alloxan induced diabetic rats with Gliclazide as standard. Results: The biochemicals and trace elements were present in appreciable amounts. Triterpenoids, (1-5), from F. pomifera and 19-hydroxyphlogacantholide (6), 3-O-[ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1’→2’)-α- L-rhamnopyranosyl-phlogacanthoside] (7) and galanolactone (8) along with stigmasterol (9), stigmasta- 5,22-dien-7-on-3ß-ol (10), 5-(decahydro-1,1,4a-trimethyl-6-methylene-5-yl)-3-methylpent-2- enal (11), stigmasterol glucoside (12) and stigmast-4-en-3-one (13) from F. hispida Linn., respectively, were isolated. The different extracts of the barks and leaves of these plants along with the isolated compounds had antioxidant and hyploglycemic activities. Conclusions: The five triterpenoids (1-5) were isolated from the methanol extract of the leaves of F. pomifera, and compounds (6-13) were isolated from the chloroform extract of the barks of F. hispida. Methanol extract of the leaves of F. pomifera and the chloroform extract of the barks of F. hispida; compounds (1-13) isolated from these two plants reduced DPPH free radicals in a concentrationdependent manner. It was also observed that the methanol and chloroform extracts of the plants, F. pomifera and F. hispida respectively, and the compounds (1, 6 & 7) exhibited anti-diabetic properties and also caused a highly significant reduction in the blood glucose levels of normal rats.

Current trends in the science and medicine is the advent of nano technology. This technology had been in application in the traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda and Siddha. They adopt this techonology by preparing the nano particles of heavy metals like mercury, gold, silver etc. and use those formulations effectively in curing diseases. Out of the metals that are available to use in medicine, Silver stands as a important and safest yet potent metal that is made as nano particles. It is evident from history that silver is being used as nano particle. It prevents infections and kills microbes and helps store food like milk, wine and vinegar for longer periods. Apart from the electronic and technological application of the nano particles, the pharmaceutical and medical application of the same had been under development. This research will focus on the comparision of the ficus plants like; Ficus religiosa, Ficus benghalensis, Ficus microcarpa, Ficus hispida, Ficus trigona and Ficus citrifolia extracts on the synthesis of the silver nano particles and their antibacterial property.

Flying squirrels are poorly studied nocturnal mammals as their elusive and nocturnal behaviour makes it hard to observe them in the wild. Here, we describe sightings of Petaurista petaurista on a limestone hill and its foot at Merapoh, Pahang, Malaysia. This is the first report as the species is usually known to inhabit forest habitat. We observed the first squirrel resting on a steep limestone wall at night. During subsequent nights, three individuals were observed feeding on Ficus hispida and Terminalia catappa fruits on the foot of the hill in nearby trees. These sightings suggest that P. petaurista may use limestone hill habitat.

The genus Ficus is striking for its species diversity, ecological significance, and its often species-specific relationship with coevolved pollinating fig wasps, which has long fascinated biologists. The three closely related and generally co-distributed dioecious species Ficus hispida, F. heterostyla and F. squamosa provide an ideal system for the study of speciation, hybridization (caused by pollinator sharing) and comparative phylogeography to infer historical biogeography. We aimed to develop microsatellite markers for these allied species to facilitate the outlined study investigations. A DNA library was constructed from one F. heterostyla sample, and 19 microsatellite loci were developed based on high-throughput sequencing. These markers showed relatively high polymorphism in all three fig species. The mean number of alleles per locus was 3.594-5.286, and the mean observed and expected heterozygosity were 0.469-0.546 and 0.467-0.528, respectively. Principal coordinate, STRUCTURE and AMOVA analyses revealed different degrees of genetic differentiation within species, and, despite some observed genetic admixture, indicated the presence of clear boundaries between different species. In summary, we successfully developed universal microsatellite markers for three closely related Ficus species. These markers will be of great value for investigating patterns of biodiversity among the species in this model system for coevolutionary studies.

Fig is an ancient gynodioecious fruit tree with females for commercial fruit production and hermaphrodites (males) sometimes used as pollen providers. An early sex-identification method would improve breeding efficiency. Three AGAMOUS (AG) genes were recruited from the Ficus carica genome using AG sequences from Ficus microcarpa and Ficus hispida. FcAG was 5230 bp in length, with 7 exons and 6 introns, and a 744-bp coding sequence. The gene was present in both female and male fig genomes, with a 15-bp deletion in the 7th exon. The other two AG genes (FcAG2-Gall_Stamen and FcAG3-Gall_Stamen) were male-specific, without the 15-bp deletion (759-bp coding sequence), and were only expressed in the gall and stamen of the male fig fruit. Using the deletion as the forward primer (AG-Marker), male plants were very efficiently identified by the presence of a 146-bp PCR product. The previously reported fig male and female polymorphism gene RESPONSIVE-TO-ANTAGONIST1 (RAN1) was also cloned and compared between male and female plants. Fifteen SNPs were found in the 3015-bp protein-coding sequence. Among them, 12 SNPs were identified as having sex-differentiating capacity by checking the sequences of 27 known male and 24 known female cultivars. A RAN1-Marker of 608 bp, including 6 SNPs, was designed, and a PCR and sequencing-based method was verified with 352 fig seedlings from two hybrid populations. Our results confirmed that the newly established AG-Marker is as accurate as the RAN1-Marker, and provide new clues to understanding Ficus sex determination.

Natural regeneration of tree species is the major means of understanding the restoration potentiality of a secondary forest. Natural regeneration of a forest is a tool for measuring the health of the forest ecosystem. Natural regeneration status of tree species in Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary (HWS) in Chittagong North Forest Division, Bangladesh was assessed laying 75 systematic quadrats of 4m×4m in size. A total of 90 regenerating tree species belonging to 34 families was identified from the HWS. Euphorbiaceae family possessed maximum regenerating tree species (14 species) followed by Mimosaceae (7), Lauraceae and Meliaceae (6 species each), and Moraceae (5 species). The overall seedling density was 7,083 per ha where Ficus hispida showed the highest number of seedlings (792 per ha) followed by Quercus sp. (475), Ficus religiosa (408), Lithocarpus elegans (375) and Lepisanthes rubiginosa (367). The number of Ficus hispida seedlings per ha was higher due to high coppicing ability. Lepisanthes rubiginosa attained maximum IVI (27.59) followed by Ficus hispida (21.18) and Quercus oxyodon (13.32). The seedlings of Aegle marmelos, Lithocarpus sp., Flacourtia jangomas, Albizia odoratissima, Acronychia padunculata, Chaetocarpus castanicarpus, Maesa paniculata, Crypteronia paniculata, Streblus asper and Mussaenda roxburghii were also found common in the study area. The findings will create baseline information of regenerating tree species, composition, diversity and population structure which can be used for monitoring future changes as well as taking policy decisions for the management of this Wildlife Sanctuary. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2019, 5(2): 1-12

Most mutualisms are exploited by parasites, which must strike an evolutionary balance between virulence and long‐term persistence. Fig‐associated nematodes, living inside figs and dispersed by fig wasps, are thought to be exploiters of the fig–fig wasp mutualism. The life history of nematodes is synchronized with the fig development and adapted to particular developmental characteristics of figs. We expect host breeding systems (monoecious vs. gynodioecious figs) and seasonality to be central to this adaptation. However, the details of the adaptation are largely unknown. Here, we conducted the first field surveys on the prevalence of nematodes from monoecious Ficus microcarpa L.f. (Moraceae), gynodioecious Ficus hispida L.f., and their pollinating fig wasps in two seasons and two developmental stages of figs in Xishuangbanna, China. We followed this up by quantifying the effects of nematodes on fitness‐related traits on fig wasps (e.g., egg loads, pollen grains, and longevity) and fig trees (seed production) in gynodioecious F. hispida. The magnitude of nematode infection was compared between pre‐ and post‐dispersal pollinators to quantify the probability of nematodes being transported to new hosts. Our results showed that Ficophagus microcarpus (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) was the only nematode in F. microcarpa. In F. hispida, Martininema guangzhouensis (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) was the dominant nematode species, whereas Ficophagus centerae was rare. For both species of Ficus, rainy season and inter‐floral figs had higher rates of nematode infection than the dry‐hot season and receptive figs. Nematodes did not affect the number of pollen grains or egg loads of female wasps. We did not detect a correlation between seed production and nematode infection. However, carrying nematodes reduced the lifespan and dispersal ability of pollinator wasps, indicating higher rates of post‐emergence mortality in infected fig wasps. Severely infected fig wasps were likely ‘filtered out’, preventing the overexploitation of figs by wasps and stabilizing the interaction over evolutionary time.

An aqueous leaf extract of Ficus hispida Linn. f. mediated silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have been prepared for reduction of 4-Nitrophenol, antioxidant and antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and gram negative bacteria, Escherichia coli. The rate of formation of Ag NPs is found to be depends on concentration of AgNO3, concentration of aqueous leaf extract of Ficus hispida Linn. f., pH, temperature and reaction time. As prepared Ag NPs have been characterized by range of spectroscopic and microscopic techniquies such as UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy. TEM images clearly showed that the formation of spherical shape Ag NPs with an average particle size of 20 nm. As prepared Ag NPs showed high catalytic activity towards the reduction of 4-Nitrophenol to 4-Aminophenol. Green synthesized Ag NPs showed enhanced antioxidant activity and also showed potent antibacterial activity against of both E. coli and Bacillus subtilis. Keywords: Green synthesis, Ag NPs, Ficus hispida Linn. f. leaf, Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol, Antioxidant activity, Antimicrobial activity

Eleven known phenolic compounds 1–11 were isolated from the MeOH extract of the fruits of Ficus hispida L.f. (Moraceae), all of which have been investigated inhibitory activities of melanin and tyrosinase in vitro. Compounds 1, 2, and 5–8 exhibited potent melanin inhibitory activities against B16F10 melanoma cells, especially 5,7-dihydroxy-4′-methoxy-3′-(3-methyl-2-hydroxybuten-3-yl)isoflavone (2) showed superior inhibitory effect with no or weak toxicities even at the concentration of 10 μM. Moreover, the results of western blot analysis and tyrosinase inhibitory activity assay revealed that compound 2 could suppress melanogenesis by inhibiting the expression levels of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), TRP-2, and tyrosinase in α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells. Then, we performed molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies to explore the binding mode and dynamic properties between compound 2 and mushroom tyrosinase. Molecular docking analysis showed that compound 2 had a strong binding affinity (−4.533 kcal/mol) to mushroom tyrosinase by the interaction of π-cation, π-π stacking, and hydrogen bonding. And the MD simulation study for 10 ns clearly demonstrated the dynamic stability of ligand-protein complex. Taken these results together, compound 2 may serve as a promising candidate for the design and development of potential tyrosinase and melanin inhibitor.

Background: Ficus hispida Linn. (Family Moraceae), well-known beneficial medicinal shrub, has been traditionally used for the treatment of various diseases such as leukoderma. Objective: The aim of the present study is to investigate the efficacy of F. hispida ethanolic leaves extract for antiproliferative, apoptotic, cell cycle blockade, and wound healing. Materials and Methods: F. hispida leaves extract was treated with colorectal adenocarcinoma cancer cell line HT29 for 24 h with control. The cells were treated at varying concentration ranges of 15, 31, 62, 125, and 250 μg/ml each The cytotoxicity effect of leaves extract was studied by 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and their anticancer activity was further evaluated using cell cycle analysis and wound scratch assay. Results: The end antiproliferative result showed that HT-29 cell viability decreases in a concentration-dependent manner and the growth inhibitory effect (IC50) values are obtained at a concentration of 125 μg. The increase in number of apoptotic cell was observed after treating HT-29 cells with the sample in double-staining methods. G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle was significantly blocked by the test sample followed by the G2/M phase in a negligible manner. In vitro cell wound closure or contracture was not significant when compared the sample against control group. Conclusion: F. hispida Linn. ethanolic leaves extract had shown to possess excellent cytotoxic effect through inducing apoptosis, especially causing cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. SUMMARY The experiment tries to evaluate the effectiveness of F. hispida leaves extract as an antiproliferative, apoptotic, cell cycle inhibitor and wound healing agent. Results showed that F. hispida Linn extract own cytotoxic property by inducing apoptosis through cell cycle arrest. Abbreviations used: HT 29: Human adenocarcinoma colorectal cell line; PBS: Phosphate Buffered Saline; FBS: Fetal Bovine Serum; DMEM: Dulbecco's Modified Eagles Medium; MTT: 3 [4, 5 dimethylthiazol 2 yl] 2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide; NCCS: National Centre for Cell Sciences; DMSO: DiMethyl SulfOxide; PI: Propidium Iodide; AO: Acridine Orange;EB: Ethidium Bromide; IC: Inhibitory Concentration.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of nine botanical extracts on plant growth, yield and pest management in eggplant field. Aqueous extracts of dried leaves of Nicotiana tabacum, Aegle marmelos, Ficus hispida, Lawsonia inermis, Vitex negundo and seeds of Carum roxburghianum, Corchorus capsularis and Swietenia macrophylla and bulb of Allium sativum were prepared and sprayed in experimental eggplant field at University of Rajshahi during January 1, 2014 to May 5, 2014. Out of these nine botanicals, Nicotiana tabacum extract showed best performance against pest attack in eggplant field. The leaf extract of Ficus hispida also showed good efficacy in the protection of eggplant from pest attack. The highest plant length and fruit yield were recorded in the treatment of Nicotiana tabacum , whereas second and third highest productions were observed in Aegle marmelos and Ficus hispida treatments, respectively. Both Allium sativum and Carum roxburghianum extracts were found to show phyto-toxicity to eggplant and hampered the plant growth and yield. J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 10(1): 137-140 2017

For centuries, many kinds of native plants and their products have been used for the treatment of gastric ulcers by traditional healers in Phayao province. The current study aimed to investigate the polyphenol content in some of these medicinal plants and to point out the relationship between their antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory activities. Six species were selected based on ethnopharmacologic considerations: Punica granatum L., Psidium guajava L., Careya arborea Roxb., Gochnatia decora (Kurz) Cabr., Shorea obtusa Wall. ex Blume, and Ficus hispida L.f. The leaves or bark of these plants were extracted with 70% ethanol and water. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the extracts were analyzed based on nitric oxide (NO) and proinflammatory cytokine production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and through the determination of scavenging activity. The results demonstrated that the ethanol extract from P. granatum and P. guajava leaves significantly inhibited NO production by suppressing nitric oxide synthase. The extracts also inhibited tumor necrosis factor-&alpha, interleukin-1, and interleukin-6 in terms of both mRNA and protein levels and possessed high antioxidants. These extracts were shown to contain the highest amount of polyphenols. Our study concluded that among the plants studied, P. granatum and P. guajava have the most significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities and polyphenols. These plants may have the potential for use in gastric ulcer therapy due to their indicated properties. Future research should focus on the isolation of their active compounds and their in vivo biological activities. Their beneficial applications need to be warranted by such evidence.

Many species of fig trees (Ficus spp., Moraceae) have nematodes that develop inside their inflorescences (figs). Nematodes are carried into young figs by females of the trees’ host-specific pollinating fig wasps (Agaonidae) that enter the figs to lay their eggs. The majority of Asian fig trees are functionally dioecious. Pollinators that enter figs on female trees cannot reproduce and offspring of any nematodes they carry will also be trapped inside. The biology of the nematodes is diverse, but poorly understood. We contrasted the development of nematodes carried by the pollinating fig wasp Ceratosolen solmsi marchali into figs on male and female trees of Ficus hispida in Sumatra, Indonesia. Figs were sampled from both male and female trees over a six-month period, with the nematodes extracted to record their development of their populations inside the figs. Populations of three species of nematodes developed routinely inside figs of both sexes: Caenorhabditis sp. (Rhabditidae), Ficophagus cf. centerae and Martininema baculum (both Aphelenchoididae). This is the first record of a Caenorhabditis sp. associated with F. hispida. Mean numbers of nematodes reached around 120-140 in both male and female figs. These peak population sizes coincided with the emergence of the new generation of adult fig wasps in male fig trees. We conclude that figs on female trees can support development and reproduction of some nematode species, but the absence of vectors means that their populations cannot persist beyond the lifetime of a single fig. Just like their fig wasp vectors, the nematodes cannot avoid this routine source of mortality.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Ficus hispida L.f. (Moraceae) has long been used as a traditional medicine in India, China, Sri Lanka, Australia, and Myanmar in the treatment of diarrhea, ulcer, anemia, diabetes, inflammation, and cancer. Aim of the review This review provides a systematic comment on the botany, traditional uses, and phytochemical and pharmacological studies of F. hispida, with an aim to make critical update of the current knowledge and obtain opportunities for further therapeutic potential. Materials and methods The information was derived from scientific literature databases including PubMed, Baidu Scholar, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Science Direct. Additional information was gathered from books, Ph.D. and M.Sc. dissertations, and unpublished materials. Results and discussion F. hispida is used especially in Chinese and Indian traditional medical systems as a remedy for skin disorders, respiratory diseases, and urinary diseases. Wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, sedative, antidiarrheal, antiulcer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antineoplastic, and antidiabetic activities have been reported for crude extracts and isolated metabolites, but the methodologies in these studies often have inadequate design and low technical quality. More than 76 compounds have been isolated from F. hispida, including sesquiterpenoids and triterpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins, phenylpropionic acids, benzoic acid derivatives, alkaloids, steroids, other glycosides, and alkanes, but the method of bioassay-guided fractionation is seldom applied in the isolation from F. hispida. Conclusion F. hispida is used widely in traditional medicines and has multiple pharmacological effects that could support traditional uses. However, pharmacological studies should be viewed with caution because of the inappropriate experimental design. More in vitro and in vivo research is urgently needed to study the molecular mechanisms and assess the effective and safe dose of F. hispida.

Background: Natural products are a valuable resource of novel bioactive metabolites and these products exist in which the anti-inflammatory activity. The present investigation studies the in vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic extract of Ficus hispida in rat’s model.Methods: Plant material was extracted with methanol in a Soxhlet extraction apparatus. Indomethacin was used as a standard drug here, which is a known potent inhibitor of PG synthesis. The carrageenin and histamine induced paw oedema were selected to represent models of acute inflammations. The test compounds and standard drugs were administered orally. After 60 minutes paw oedema was induced by giving 0.1 ml of 1% Carrageenan and 0.1 % histamine by sub-plantar administration. Paw volume-Plethysmometer by mercury displacement method, before and after 1 hr to 4 hours of carrageenan and histamine administration. Performed MTT-based cytotoxicity assay of the Ficus hispida on the RAW264.7 cell line to determine the IC50 and calculate the pro-inflammatory cytokines viz, IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α and compared to the LPS control.Results: The result obtained from the in-vivo study shows that the Ficus hispida has significant anti- inflammatory activity in a dose dependent manner. This effect is similar to that produced by NSAIDS such as Indomethacin. The concentrations of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α, secreted by the cells after challenging with bacterial LPS (2 µg/ml) and subsequent treatment with 50 µg Ficus hispida has been found to reduce the production of all the three pro-inflammatory cytokines viz, IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α as compared to the LPS control. The activity, in fact, is comparable to the standard NSAID Indomethacin.Conclusions: All these findings and phytoconstituents present in the extract could be the possible chemicals involved in the prevention of inflammations.

Herbal plants are arguably poised for a comeback as like sources of ethnic health products in the main due after their vast desire in accordance with synthesize complicated combinations on structurally diverse compounds, which ought to furnish a safer than more holistic approach in conformity with disease cure and prevention. Ficus hispida (FH) Linn belonging to the family Moraceae, who have various pharmacognostic properties. The class Ficus constitutes a necessary crew on trees, now not solely concerning their extensive medicinal virtue however also of their growth habits yet religious significance. Almost every part over those plants is ancient as a traditional belief on treatment because of the treatment on a variety of ailments through Indian traditional healers. The goal on the existing instruction is to accumulate competencies over ethno-medicinal and pharmacognostic importance about FH. FH includes extensive sorts on bioactives compounds as alkaloids, proteins and amino acids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, sterols, phenols, glycosides, gums and mucilage, saponins and terpenes. Multiple scientific researches have been published to establish the scientific foundation over common medicinal values attributed in conformity with FH of terms on ayurvedic usage the plant for blood disorders, anemia, dysentery, hemorrhoids, stomatorrhagia, jaundice and ulcers. The crop fruits are used namely aphrodisiac, lactagogue, emetic and tonic. Furthermore, pharmacological activities like anticancer, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory have been additionally acknowledged recently. Till now, no action has been published in conformity with elaborate the pharmacognostic functions of FH Linn. The existing decrial is, therefore, an endeavour to relinquish a clear estimate of its pharmacognosy and phytochemistry and a considerable survey over its pharmacological activities.

The present study was designed to confirm the traditional use of the fruits of Ficus hispida Linn. (Moraceae) as an antioxidant agent. Fruits of the plant extracted with methanol and crude methanol extract (CME) were further fractionated with n-hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate. All the fractions, n-hexane (NHF), chloroform (CHF), ethyl acetate (EAF), aqueous (AQF) and CME were preliminary screened for in vitro antioxidant activity and total phenolic and total flavonoid content. In DPPH radical scavenging assay, CME exhibited highest scavenging activity (IC50 = 11.20 µg/mL) as compared to other fractions. In this assay, IC50 of reference standard BHT was 5.10 µg/mL. The reducing power of the samples was in the order as AQF > CME > CHF > EAF > NHF. The results for hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity indicated that CME, EAF and AQF had almost the same scavenging activity except NHF. Total antioxidant capacity of CME and other fractions were ranked as CHF > AQF > CME > EAF > NHF. In the assay of antioxidant constituents (total phenol and total flavonoids content), the CME had highest phenolic and flavonoids content. The results indicate that Ficus hispida fruits could be considered as a potential source of natural antioxidant.

The temporal phenology of leaf bud bursting, leaf initiation, leaf maturation, leaf fall, flower initiation, fruit initiation and fruit fall was recorded for eight tree species (Ficus hispida, F. squamosa, Mallotus nudiflorus, M. philippensis, Shorea robusta, Schleichera oleosa, Pongamia pinnata and Terminalia arjuna) in the tropical moist deciduous forest of Himalayan Terai region from November 2009 to October 2012. The study revealed that a short low temperature dry period, sufficient winter rain and temperature rise are the triggering factors for summer leaf flushing and, the increased soil water availability for second leaf flushing in rains. Initiation of flowering with leaf emergence in the dry period supports higher rate of fruit setting due to maximum availability and activities of pollinators. The dispersal and post dispersal success of fruits increased by their ripening before and/or in the rainy season. In T. arjuna, no correlation has been found between the fruiting and rains. M. nudiflorus and M. philippensis initiate leaves and flowers with the first significant increase in temperature and photoperiod and are thus suggested as the potential tree species for climate change studies in tropics.