Antiviral Activity and Chemical Characterization of Ficus citrifolia Mill. (Moraceae) Leaf Extract Against Emerging Arboviruses

Arboviral diseases pose a serious public health problem, particularly in tropical regions, where environmental conditions favor the proliferation of mosquito vectors, facilitating viral transmission and leading to debilitating clinical manifestations ranging from fever and joint pain to severe neurological complications. This study evaluated the in vitro antiviral activity and phytochemical profile of the ethanolic extract of Ficus citrifolia Mill. leaves (Moraceae). Using high-resolution LC-MS/MS analysis, 21 compounds were identified, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, lignans, terpenes, and steroids - many of which are known for their antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. The extract exhibited significant antiviral activity against Mayaro virus (EC₅₀: 61.24 µg/mL, SI: 12.96), Chikungunya virus (EC₅₀: 117.92 µg/mL, SI: 6.73), and Zika virus (EC₅₀: 117.29 µg/mL, SI: 6.77), with no observed activity against Oropouche virus. The findings highlight the potential of F. citrifolia as a source of antiviral agents and support its traditional use in treating inflammatory and infectious diseases. Further studies, including bioassay-guided fractionation and mechanistic evaluations, are recommended to identify the active constituents and assess clinical applicability.