Review on the Medicinal Plant Ficus minahassae Linn.

(Moraceae)
Submitted by Bea Johsua Alvenda Bernardo
In partial fulfilment of Bota115- Ethnobotany Lecture, Sir Marlon Pareja
on May 20, 2016
Department of Biological Sciences, De La Salle University Dasmarinas
Dasmarinas, Cavite, Philippines
Introduction
Medicinal plants have been
recognized and used throughout
the existence of us humans. As we
grow, we learn a lot from what we
live in and who we interact with in
our surroundings, including plants.
They are important to us because
they provide us food and shelther.
Not only that, plants make
chemical compounds for their
defense in order to survive. The
human body benefit from those
chemicals. According to Health
benefits from herb and spices by
Tapsell, L.C., Hemphill, I., and
Coblac, L., (et al), chemical
compounds in plants mediate their
effect on the human body through processes identical to those already well
understood for the chemical compounds in conventional drugs; thus herbal
medicines do not differ greatly from conventional drugs in terms of how they work.
This enables herbal medicines to have beneficial pharmacology, but also gives
them the same potential as conventional pharmaceutical drugs to cause harmful
side effects. Though, they can be reduced, plant materials come with a variety of
compounds with undesired effects.
In 2001, researchers identified 122 compounds used in modern medicine that
were derived from traditional plant sources; 80% of these have had a traditional
use identical or related to the current use of the active elements of the plant.
(Fabricant, D.S., Farnsworth, N.R., 2001).
Aspirin, digoxin, quinine and opium are examples of pharmaceuticals currently
available to physicians that are derived from plants and have a long history of
use as herbal remedies.
It is reported from World Health Organization (WHO) that countries in Africa, Asia

and Latin America use traditional medicine (TM) to help meet some of their
primary health care needs.
The Philippines is known for its rich diversity in both animals and plants. Back
then during the Spanish colonization in the country, Edward Gaylord Borne
described that the Philippines became "ahead of all the other European colonies"
in providing healthcare to ill and invalid people during the start of the 17th century.
Folk therapist, or Albularyo (as we known it nowadays) are recognized by the
Spaniards and are considered as unique to the islands of the Philippines. (Joven,
A.E.)
It is the homeland soil of abundant species of plants and most of which are
medicinal. These plants are discovered and used as traditional medicines. Added
to this plants are used especially in the rural areas where 60% of the Filipino
people live below the poverty line. (NEDA, 2010). Health resources are few so
that the masses have learned to rely on their indigenous resources. (AbalonMerandilla, M.T., Prado-Abalon, E., 2010). From over 1060 species of plants
reported to have medicinal benefits, only ten are recognized by the Department
of Health. An example of a species of plant under the 1060~ species discovered
with medicinal properties is the Ficus minahassae or Hagimit.
Hagimit plant is an evergreen tree with a widely spreading crown. It it a species
of plant that can be seen in South East Asia places specifically the Philippines,
Indonesia (Celebes), and Malaysia (Sabah).
Belonging to Family Moracae, Hagimit is found in primary forests, chiefly along
streams, at low and high medium altitudes, ascending to 1,350 meters,
thoughout the Philippines. (Quisimbing, 1978). The genetic resource of the Ficus
genus is considered important because of its high economic and nutritional value.
It is a good source of food for fruit-eating animals in the tropical areas hence, its
importance in the biodiversity of the rainforest ecosystem.
According to Guerrero, M., the leaves of the tree are used as an antirheumatic
topical, and the sap is employed as a beverage. He adds that the reddish color of
the decoction of the bark seems to suggest astringent properties
The fig genus and other species of Ficus will be discussed in this paper since
since there are only a few studies regarding the Ficus minahassae published.
Taxonomic Account:
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Urticales / Rosales
Family: Moraceae
Genus: Ficus
Species: F. minahassae

Scientific name: Ficus minahassae

Common names / Other names
The accepted scientific name for Hagimit is Ficus minahassae.
Synonymous to this is Bosscheria minahassae (De Vriese and Teijsm) and Ficus
glomerata (Blanco). Other common names include Alomit (Ig.), Arinit (Ting.),
Ayimit (Tag.), Ayumit (Tag.), Businag (Ilk.), Gimit (Sub.), Haganit (Tag.), Hagimit
(Tag., Bis.), Hasimit (C. Bis.), Lagumit (Buk.), Logemit (Hagaonon), Malatungbog
(Mbo.), Matanug (Sul.), Sabfog (Tag.), Sangai (Bag.), Taisan (Yak.), Tambistambis (C. Bis.) and Tambuyogan (S.L. Bis)
Description
Hagimit is a
widely spreading fig
tree. Its stems, which
grows to 15 meters or
more in height, are
butressed at the base.
Its branchlets are long
and setosely hairy.
From the ends of the
twigs, are papery, flat,
covered with long reddish-brown especially beneath,
are the leaves. They are ovate and size ranging from
10 to 20 centimers long, with entire of minutely
toothed margins. The leafs petioles are upon 3 to 5
centimers long, very stout and long-haired. The said species, also bear fruits
which are stalkless, small and angularly obovoid. It can either have longing
branches or small, nearly-circular heads which are numerous from the trunk and
bigger branches. The fruit is small, stalkless, angularly egg-shaped with a
narrower end at the base, which grows in small, nearly spherical heads or long,
hanging branches that grow in large numbers from the trunk and larger branches.
Reproduction
Fig trees, under Genus Ficus, are special and have a unique for of
fertilization because they require highly specialized species of wasp that is
itself totally dependent upon the fig species in order to breed. The trees
produce three types of flower; a short-styled female flower galled the gall
flower, and the long-styled female flower, and the male flower. The fruit
contains all this three types of flower. While pollinating the long-styled
female flower, the female fig wasp enters a fig and lays its eggs on the
short-styled female flower.

Wingless male fig wasps emerge first, inseminate the emerging females
and then bore exit tunnels out of the fig for the winged females. Females
appear, gather pollen from the male flowers and searches for a fig tree
whose female flowers are receptive. A Ficus spp. Must flower
asynchronously to support a pollination of its pollinator. Assurance that at
any time of the year at least some plants have overlap of emission and
reception of fig wasps is a must. The population must exceed a critical
minimum because without this temporal overlap, the short-lived pollinator
wasps will go locally extinct.
Distribution

The Fig genus are a native throughout the tropics including Asia, America
and Africa, for there are hundreds of plants belonging to this genus.
Ficus minahassae can be seen in forest and moist areas, usually along
steam and in damp places, at low and medium altitudes, ascending to
1,350 metres.
They can be seen in places in South East Asia including the Philippines,
Malaysia and Indonesia. From researches, most cases of the plant is seen
in Sabbah, Malaysia and Celebes, Indonesia. Reports also say that they
are found in Polilo Islands, Philippines, and they call the plant Ayimit,
Iligan City, Mindanao, and they recognize it as a common medicinal plant
by the tribes living in the area. They also named a falls, Hagimit falls,
after the said plant in Samal Islands, Philippines.
Chemical Composition:
The Leaves
From a research paper published under Advances in Agriculture
and Botanics, 2015 by Lagunat Rachel A.E., and Uy, Mylene, it is
mentioned that Ficus minahassae, together with other species of plants
under their study have been gradually utilized as herbal remedies for the

cure of various ailments even though they

have not been explored scientifically. The
present investigation focused mainly on the
phytochemical investigation of the leaves of
these plants, employing standard procedures.
They tested to see if the presence of the
following phytochemicals particularly the
alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phylobatannins,
cardiac glycosides, steroids and terpenoids
will be contained in the leaves of different
kinds of plants. These compounds may be
responsible for the utilization of the plants
under study for the treatment of different
ailments.
In the said research, with the aid of equipment for extraction and
experimental procedures conducted, it concluded that Tannin, Steroids,
Terpenoids, Flavonoids and Cardiac Glycoside were present in the leaf of
Ficus minahassae.

** No further researches were seen regarding the bark, roots and seeds of
the Ficus minahassae (sp.)
Related sp. to Ficus minahassae
Related species under the same genus
Ficus is Ficus carica which
contains several phytochemicals, a reason for
cultivating the said species.
Ficus caricas crude extracts have been
studied and proven to possess many biological
activities. Examples of such are: anticancer,
hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic,
and antimicrobial activities. The plant is also
used traditionally to treat various ailments such
as cancer, inflammation, respiratory (sore

throats, cough, and bronchial problems) and gastrointestinal (colic, indigestion

loss of appetite, diarrhea).
The fruits juice can be mixed with honey and used for haemorrhage. The dry
fruit can be a supplementary food for people with diabetics. In india, the fruit can
be used as a mild laxative, expectorant and diurethic.
Phytochemical studies on the leaves and fruits of the plant have shown that they
are rich in phenolics, organic acids, and volatile compounds. Other parts of the
plant that is useful is its stem and roots, though only little information are shown
in studies regarding Ficus carica.
Phytochemicals of Ficus carica:
Unlike Ficus minahassae that lacks further studies regarding
its phytochemicals is Ficus carica which has a lot of phytochemical studies
shown in researches. The following are shown below:

Phenolic acids such as 3-O- (1) and 5-O-caffeoylquinic acids (2), ferulic
acid, (3) quercetin-3-O-glucoside, (4) quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (5),
psoralen (6), bergapten (7), and organic acids (oxalic, citric, malic, quinic,
shikimic, and fumaric acids) have been isolated from the water extract of
the leaves of F. carica L.
Coumarin (8) has been isolated from the methanol extract of the leaves of

F. carica L. by bioassay-guided isolation, and the isolated coumarin

exhibited the strongest nematicidal activity against the nematodes
Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, Panagrellus redivivus, and Caenorhabditis
elegans within 72hr. Four triterpenoids, bauerenol (9), lupeol acetate (10),
methyl maslinate (11), and oleanolic acid (12),have been isolated from the
leaves of F. carica and showed irritant potential on mice ears.
The leaves of F. carica consist of various volatile compounds which are
identified and distributed by distinct chemical classes, such as aldehydes:
methyl-butanal (13), 2-methylbutanal (14), (E)-2-pentanal (15), hexanal
(16), and (E)-2-hexanal (17), alcohols: 1-penten-3-ol (18), 3-methyl-1butanol (19), 2-methylbutanol (20), heptanol (21), benzyl alcohol (22), (E)2-nonen-1-ol (23), and phenylethyl alcohol (24), ketone: 3-pentanone (25),
esters: methyl butanoate (26), methyl hexanoate (27), hexyl acetate (28),
ethyl benzoate (29), and methyl salicylate (30), monoterpenes: limonene
(31) and menthol (32), sesquiterpenes: a-cubenene (33), a-guaiene, aylangene (34), copaene (35), a-bourbonene, a-elemene (36), agurjunene(37), a-caryophyllene (38), a-cubebene (39), aromadendrene
(40), a-caryophyllene (41), a-muurolene(42), a-cadinene (43), amuurolene(44), germacrene D(45), and (+)-ledene (46), norisoprenoid: acyclocitral (47), and miscellaneous compounds: psoralen (48).
Fifteen anthocyanin pigments were isolated from the fig fruit and bark of F.
carica. Most of them contain cyaniding (as aglycone and some
pelargonidin derivatives. Pentane extracts from the fig of F. carica contain
numerous volatile compounds: benzyl aldehyde, benzyl alcohol, furanoid,
linalool, pyranoid (trans), cinnamic aldehyde, indole, cinnamic alcohol,
eugenol, and transcaryophyllenes sesquiterpene: germacrene D, hydroxyl
caryophyllene, angelicin, and bergapten.
Total and individual phenolic compounds, phenolic acid, chlorogenic acid,
flavones, and flavonols, have been isolated from fresh and dried fig skins
of F. carica and dried figs contained total higher amounts of phenolics
than the pulp of fresh fruits, owing to the contribution of the dry skin.
Quercetin rutinoside was the major individual phenolic, while microbial -Dglucans has been isolated from Libyan figs of F. carica.
Phenolic acids; 3-O- and 5-O-caffeoylquinic acids, ferulic acid, quercetin3-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, psoralen, and bergapten, and
organic acids (oxalic, citric, malic, shikimic, and fumaric acids) were
isolated from the pulps and peels of figs [24]. Phenolics, anthocyanins,
fructose, glucose, and sucrose were identified from the fig of F. carica.
Various volatile constituents of five Portuguese varieties of F. carica fruits
(pulps and peels) have been isolated which include aldehydes: 3-methylbutanal, 2-methyl-butanal, (E)-2-pentanal, hexanal, heptanal, octanal, and
nonanal, alcohols: 1-penten-3-ol, 3-methylbutanol, benzyl alcohol, (E)-2nonenol, and phenylethyl alcohol, ketone: 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one,
esters: methyl hexanoate, methyl salicylate, and ethyl salicylate,
monoterpenes: limonene, menthol, b-pinene, b-pinene, linalool, eucalyptol
(68), sesquiterpenes: a-cubenene(45), copaene, a-caryophyllene, a-

muurolene, a-cadinene, and germacrene D, norisoprenoid: bcyclocitral(49), and miscellaneous compounds: eugenol (57).
Medicinal Use:
It was during World War II when there were scarcity of imported drugs,
and it shows that we are in need of research regarding available resources
capable of healing. Never before has we been so forced to rely upon our own
resources as we were then when the very life of our nationfor the people are
the nationdepended upon utilizing the herbs we have in our environment.
Competent and well-trained investigators gathered information and hold an
intensive study regarding local plants seen in the Philippines. One of which is the
plant: Hagimit, Ficus minahassae
(Passage from Medicinal Plants of the Philippines, Quisimbing, E.)

The leaves are used an an antirheumatic tropical. The leaves are roasted,
pounded and mixed with oil, directly applied to heal boils and bruises.
As mentioned in the chemical composition of the leaves, it contains Cardic
glycosides, Tannin, Steroids, Terpenoids, and Flavonoids.
o Glycosides are said to treat heart failure and certain irregular
heartbeats
o Tannins or tannoids have astringent, hemostatic, antiseptic and
toning properties.
o Steroids can be used for treatment for certain inflammatory
conditions.
o Terpenoids can be used for its antibacterials and inteseptic
properties.

The bark, given it reddish-color suggest it astringent properties

Fig fruits (under Fig genus) contain

laxative substances, flavonoids,
sugars, vitamins A and C, acids and
enzymes. Vitamin A can be grouped in
two principal forms of food namely
Retinol and carotenes. They are
important for both food and traditional
medicine. They can help enhance
vision, increase immunity, growth and
repair of the body and has antioxidant
properties. Though it is still under
further studies.

The roots are said to enhance milk production in lactating mothers, also
to relief muscle pain or for fatique of bughat in women. Tribes he

Hagaonon tribe of Rogongon, Iligan City in Mindanao practice this

traditional technique. The boil the leaves with water, and drink it thrice a
day to observe its effectivity.
Other Uses:

The bark of the Hagimit tree is used for making various utensils.

According to Brown, W.H., the sap is employed as a beverage

Fruits of the tree can be eaten raw or dried.

The stem gives water for drinking.

A study conducted entitled Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Mature

Red Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Fruit Coated with Hagimit
(Ficus minahassae Miq.) Extract conducted by Boko, J.M. and Salas,
F.M. concluded that the polar Ficus minahassae Miq. extracts were able to
delay the free radical scavenging of the tomatoes though they
recommended further studies on the potential of Ficus minahassae Miq.
extracts.

References:
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http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Ficus+minahassae
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detials of species Retrieved: May 14, 2016
http://arctos.database.museum/name/Ficus%20minahassae
3) Medicinal Plants of the Philippines. Quisimbing, E. (Dr.) Katha Publishing
Co., Inc. 1978
Filipiana Section, AEA
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common name in Polilo, Philippines (February 2003). Retrieved: May 15,
2016
http://polillo.mampam.com/Treeusetable.htm
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C compounds (July 16, 2013). Retrieved: May 15, 2016
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/vitamin-c-ascorbic-acid

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http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/2003/fs134/en/
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Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, Visayas State University, Visca,
Baybay City, Leyte
Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Mature Red Tomato (Lycopersicon
esculentum Mill.) Fruit Coated with Hagimit (Ficus minahassae Miq.)
Extract
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http://www.medicinalplants-pharmacognosy.com/pharmacognosy-stopics/tannins/
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