ABSTRACT Ficus benghalensis L. (Indian banyan), a prominent member of the Moraceae family, is a widely utilized ethnomedicinal plant with substantial therapeutic relevance. This comprehensive review critically synthesizes recent phytochemical, pharmacological, and mechanistic evidence supporting the antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti‐inflammatory, and anticancer potentials of F. benghalensis . Phytochemical investigations reveal a rich diversity of bioactive constituents, including flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, and leucopelargonidin), terpenoids (lupeol, α‐ and β‐amyrin acetates, and ursolic acid), sterols (β‐sitosterol and stigmasterol), phenolic acids, alkaloids, coumarins, glycosides, and fatty acid derivatives distributed across different plant parts. Strong antioxidant activity is reflected in the low IC 50 values in DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and CUPRAC assays, correlating with high phenolic and flavonoid content and possible modulation of redox‐regulatory pathways. Antimicrobial studies report broad‐spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activity with notable zones of inhibition and minimum inhibitory concentrations, particularly in bark and leaf extracts. Antidiabetic effects are mediated through inhibition of α‐amylase, α‐glucosidase, aldose reductase, and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), enhancement of glucose uptake via GLUT‐2, and activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, supported by in silico, in vitro, and in vivo evidence. Anti‐inflammatory activity is substantiated by significant inhibition of COX‐1, COX‐2, 5‐LOX, and pro‐inflammatory cytokines (IL‐6 and IL‐1β), alongside suppression of EGFR/PI3K/Akt signaling by a novel fatty acid glucoside. Anticancer potential is evidenced by selective cytotoxicity, induction of apoptosis via caspase activation and topoisomerase I inhibition, oxidative stress generation, and G 2 /M cell cycle arrest across multiple cancer cell lines. Nanoformulation approaches further enhance bioactivity and selectivity, although mechanistic clarity remains limited. Despite robust preclinical evidence, gaps persist in pharmacokinetics, standardization, toxicity profiling, and clinical validation. Overall, this review bridges traditional knowledge with modern molecular pharmacology, highlighting F. benghalensis as a promising multi‐target phytotherapeutic candidate for future drug discovery and development.
Ali et al. (Mon,) studied this question.