Research Article | Volume: 16, Issue: 8, August, 2026

Ficus carica as an Antidiabetic Agent: Evidence from a Meta-analysis of In Vivo Studies

Rahmad Darmawan,  Ira Humairah,  Mohammed A. Hassan,  Ervi Audina Munthe,  Danny Meganingdyah Primartati,  Noor Fadillah,  Linda,  Galih Indra Permana,  Aulia Risqi Fatmariza   

Rahmad Darmawan1, Ira Humairah2, Mohammed A. Hassan3, Ervi Audina Munthe4, Danny Meganingdyah Primartati5, Noor Fadillah6, Linda7, Galih Indra Permana8, Aulia Risqi Fatmariza5

1Department of Biomedical and Traditional Natural Product, Faculty of Dentistry, Institut Ilmu Kesehatan Bhakti Wiyata Kediri, East Java, Indonesia.

2Department of Physiology and Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia.

3Department of Medical Basic Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hadhramout University, Mukalla, Yemen

4Department of Biochemistry and Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Palangka Raya, Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.

5Faculty of Health Technology and Management, Institut Ilmu Kesehatan Bhakti Wiyata Kediri, East Java, Indonesia.

6Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Universitas Muhammadiyah Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.

7Master Program of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia.

8Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Open Access   

Published:  Jul 16, 2026

DOI: 10.1177/22313354261461006
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Abstract

Recent evidence indicates that Ficus carica may exert glucose-lowering effects under diabetic conditions. However, reductions generally do not restore blood glucose to normal levels, raising questions about its reliability as an antidiabetic agent. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the glucose-lowering effects of F. carica in experimental diabetes models through meta-analysis, with additional assessments of dosage influence and comparison to glibenclamide. Relevant studies were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, including in vivo experiments on diabetic rats reporting blood glucose or insulin outcomes after F. carica intervention. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using meta-analysis based on leaf extract, dosage, and comparator treatment. F. carica leaf extract significantly reduced blood glucose compared to diabetic controls (SMD = –5.92; 95% CI [–8.13, –3.72]; p = .00001). Subgroup analyses demonstrated consistent effects at doses below 500 mg/kg BW (SMD = –8.11; 95% CI [–12.83, –3.39]; p = .0008) and above 400 mg/kg BW (SMD = –4.95; 95% CI [–7.49, –2.40]; p < .0001). Leaf extract showed no superior effect compared to glibenclamide (SMD = 2.10; 95% CI [0.91, 3.29]; p = .0006). A significant effect on insulin levels was observed in leaf extract (SMD = –3.65; 95% CI [–7.12, –0.18]; p = .04), though inconsistent effects were noted across other plant parts. In conclusion, F. carica demonstrates antidiabetic potential by reducing blood glucose in diabetic rats, but effects remain within the prediabetic range and are not superior to glibenclamide. Further research is needed to achieve normoglycemic reduction and consistent insulin effects under diabetic conditions.


Keyword:     Diabetes herbal medicine Ficus carica alternative medicine

Citation:

Darmawan R, Humairah I, Hassan MA, Munthe EA, Primartati DM, Fadillah N, Linda, Permana GI, Fatmariza AR. Ficus carica as an Antidiabetic Agent: Evidence from a Meta-analysis of In Vivo Studies. J Appl Pharm Sci. 2026;16(8):613–629. https://doi.org/10.1177/22313354261461006

Copyright: © The Author(s). This open-access article is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, which permits non-commercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, provided appropriate credit is given, a link to the license is included, and any changes are indicated.
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