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Updated: Jan 9, 2026
Morphometric Analyses of Retinal Sections
Published on: February 19, 2012
Multi-Target Neuroprotective Effects of Flavonoid-Rich Ficus benjamina L. Leaf Extracts: Mitochondrial Modulation,
Arik Dahan1, Moria Oz2, Ludmila Yarmolinsky1
1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel.
Abstract:
Oxidative-stress-induced neuronal injury is a major contributor to neurodegenerative diseases, underscoring the need for novel neuroprotective strategies. Natural products with antioxidant and mitochondrial-stabilizing properties are increasingly recognized as promising multi-target therapeutics. Ficus benjamina L., a member of the Moraceae family, is rich in flavonoids and traditionally used in Asian ethnomedicine for wound healing, inflammation, and weakness, with related Ficus species documented in the Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica) for circulation and detoxification disorders. However, its neuroprotective potential has not been systematically evaluated. In this study, we explored the neuroprotective potential of a flavonoid-enriched 80% methanolic leaf extract of F. benjamina by evaluating its capacity to mitigate oxidative stress in neuronal cells and a murine optic nerve crush (ONC) injury model. We observed in SH-SY5Y cells that cell viability was preserved after pre-treatment using the extract, mitochondrial respiration and the membrane potential were maintained, and gene expression was modulated by upregulation of BCL-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2), BCL-xL (B-cell lymphoma-extra large), X) SOD2 (Superoxide Dismutase), CAT (Catalase), and BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor). Intravitreal delivery of the extract in vivo resulted in a marked increase in the survival of retinal ganglion cells following ONC injury. Caffeic acid, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside were identified as major constituents in phytochemical profiling. These results indicate that F. benjamina exerts multi-target neuroprotective actions, mediated via mitochondrial regulation, enhancement of antioxidation defenses, and modulation of apoptotic pathways. The findings also substantiate the contemporary pharmacological relevance underscoring the ethnomedicinal use of Ficus species and highlight the potential of F. benjamina as a promising candidate for developing integrative therapeutic approaches to target neurodegenerative diseases driven by oxidative stress.
Insights
Ficus benjamina leaf extract protects neurons from oxidative stress and injury. This natural compound shows potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases by supporting mitochondrial function and antioxidant defenses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Natural Products Chemistry
Background:
- Oxidative stress is a key factor in neurodegenerative diseases, necessitating new neuroprotective treatments.
- Natural products with antioxidant and mitochondrial-stabilizing effects are promising therapeutic candidates.
- Ficus benjamina L. is traditionally used in ethnomedicine, but its neuroprotective properties are unstudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroprotective potential of a Ficus benjamina leaf extract.
- To evaluate its effects on oxidative stress in neuronal cells and an animal model of injury.
- To identify key phytochemical constituents responsible for these effects.
Main Methods:
- Used an 80% methanolic Ficus benjamina leaf extract on SH-SY5Y neuronal cells and a murine optic nerve crush (ONC) model.
- Assessed cell viability, mitochondrial respiration, membrane potential, and gene expression (BCL-2, SOD2, CAT, BDNF).
- Performed phytochemical profiling to identify major compounds like caffeic acid and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside.
Main Results:
- The extract preserved neuronal cell viability and mitochondrial function in vitro.
- It upregulated neuroprotective genes including BCL-2, SOD2, CAT, and BDNF.
- In vivo, intravitreal extract administration increased retinal ganglion cell survival after ONC injury.
Conclusions:
- Ficus benjamina extract demonstrates multi-target neuroprotective effects.
- Mechanisms include mitochondrial regulation, enhanced antioxidant capacity, and apoptosis modulation.
- This supports its ethnomedicinal use and highlights its potential for neurodegenerative disease therapeutics.
