Table 3.

Studies testing for antifungal effects of the most representative species of the genus Ficus L.

Extract or phytochemical/Plant part	Objective and biological effect	Ref
F. hirta Vahl
EtOH/fruits	Two carboline alkaloids, five sesquiterpenoids/norsesquiterpenoids, three flavonoids, and one phenylpropane-1,2-diol were identified for the first time from this extract by 1D and 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS analysis. On the other hand, the antifungal assay revealed that the flavonoid (pinocembrin-7-O-β-d-glucoside) showed an inhibition effect against P. italicum of 13.70% at 25 μg/mL	[61]
Aqueous/fruits	The Xinyu mandarin is a perishable citrus vulnerable to P. italicum infections. To reduce economic losses caused by fungal damage, edible coatings based on F. hirta Vahl. fruits extract-incorporated chitosan have been applied. Such coating decreased fungal growth on mandarins stored at 5°C reducing postharvest losses and improving the storage capacity of Xinyu mandarins	[65]
EtOAc and Ace/fruits	Through in vitro tests, the antioxidant and antifungal activity of various solvent extracts of its fruits was evaluated. The EtOAc and Ace extracts showed abundant antioxidant components, emphasizing the flavonoid content; to which an important antifungal activity against P. italicum was attributed	[66]
Fruits	As mentioned above, P. italicum affects the postharvest of citrus fruits. Therefore, after obtaining a flavonone (pinocembroside) from the fruit of F. hirta Vahl., its antifungal activity against this blue mold was evaluated. Mycelial growth in Newhall navel oranges was inhibited by flavonone in a dose-dependent manner (minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC): 800 mg/L). The conclusion is that flavonone could increase the permeability of the membrane, accelerating lipid peroxidation in the fungus	[67]
F. carica
Latex	Using mass spectroscopy and an amino acid sequencer, a low molecular weight (6481 Da) antifungal protein was isolated. In general, composed of Arginine (Arg), Proline (Pro), Aspartic Acid (Asp), Phenylalanine (Phe), Leucine (Leu) and Glutamine (Glu)	[59]
MeOH, Chl, Hx, and EtOAc/latex	The antifungal potential of the extracts against opportunistic pathogenic yeasts was explored. The Chl and EtOAc fractions showed the highest inhibition (100%) in all fungi. In contrast, the MeOH fraction only inhibited C. albicans and M. canis (500 μg/ml concentration); unfortunately, it had no effect against C. neoformans. Finally, the Hx extract showed low inhibitory capacity	[43]
Latex	Fig latex contains proteases (mainly ficin) and chitinolytic enzymes that protect the plant from pathogens. For this reason, the changes in its composition of proteins, enzymes and antifungal activity during the ripening of the fruit were studied. The latex samples showed a uniform increase in protein concentration and a decrease in ficin content according to the ripening time of the fruit. Another important observation was that the antifungal activity against S. cerevisiae was more extensive in Spring	[68]
F. religiose
EtOH/Whole plant	16 extracts from 22 Indian medicinal plants showed antifungal activity against 5 filamentous fungi (A. niger, A. alternata, F. chlamydosporum, R. bataticola and T. viride) and one yeast (C. albicans); highlighting F. religiosa by significantly inhibiting the growth of C. albicans	[34]
Aqueous, MeOH and Chl/leaves	The results indicated that all the extracts were active against fungal strains, especially A. niger and P. notatum	[35]
F. elastica
MeOH/aerial roots	Initially, a ficusoside B was isolated from the extract with antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli. Subsequently, the same methodological process was developed to analyze the antifungal capacity of ficusoside B. It was found that it also inhibits the growth of C. albicans	[58]