The pharmacological potentials of Musa paradisiaca Linn.

Abstract

Musa paradisiaca Linn. (Plantain or cooking banana) is among the major crops that are being cultivated by farmers and serve as the main food crop for both animals and humans in some parts of the world. It shows several beneficial properties. In traditional medicine, the fruits in addition to the other parts of the plant such as the stalk, peel, pulp and leaf are used to treat different diseases in humans. This review presents the scientific information on the pharmacological potentials, possible nutritional values and phytochemicals of this Musa species. It is a source of carbohydrate that can easily be digestible and also provides vital vitamins like vitamin B complex, vitamin C and a lot of minerals like potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) etc. Most of the in vitro studies, in vivo (animal model) studies and clinical trials, propose that innumerable banana and plantain parts have been utilized in traditional medicine for the treatment of countless non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cancer, hypertension, atherosclerosis, ulcers, urolithiasis and Alzheimer’s infection. Also, this review reports the phytocompounds isolated through the use of different solvents for extraction of the plant’s parts. A comprehensive assessment of the biological activities of different extracts is included and possible mechanisms and phytochemicals involved have been correlated.