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Asian Journal of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Research Issue 4 (Vol.

2) 2012
ISSN: 2231-2560
CODEN (USA): AJBPAD
Research Article

Asian Journal of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Research

Phytoconstituents and Pharmacological activities of Musa paradisiaca Linn.


Sanjeev Kumar1, Chanchal Kumar Mishra1, Anil Ahuja1, Asha Rani2 & R.K. Nema3
1. Arya College of Pharmacy, Kukas, Jaipur, Rajasthan
2. Govt. Pharmacy Institute, Bariatu, Ranchi, Jharkhand
3. Rishiraj College of Pharmacy, Indore

Received: 29 October 2012; Revised: 14 November 2012; Accepted: 30 November 2012

Abstract: Musa paradisiaca is a monoherbacious plant belonging to family; Musaceae, commonly known as
plantain. Plantain refers in India to a coarse banana. Banana is the common name for herbaceous plants of the
genus Musa and for the fruit they produce. Bananas come in a variety of sizes and colors when ripe, including
yellow, purple and red. The family Musaceae having two genera and 42 different species, 35 species are
belongs to Musa species. Traditionally the Plant Musa paradisiaca was used for different purposes such as
cancer, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentry, hypertension, marasmus, migrain, psoriasis, small pox, syphilis,
tuberculosis, tumor, urticaria and wounds. The various unknown justified pharmacological activity of Musa
Paradisiaca is documented in traditional as well as in recent scientific literature. The main pharmacological
activity of this plant are Hepatoprotective, hair growth promoter, diuretic, analgesic activity, skeletal muscle
contraction, antiulcer, wound healing, antioxidant, antidote for snake bite, hypoglycemic acivity. Fruits consist
of carbohydrates, amino acids, sugar and starch. The pulp protein was rich in arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic
acid, methionine and tryptophan. A new bicyclic diaryl heptanoid rel (3S-4Ar,10Br)-8-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxy
phenyl)-9-methoxy-4a,5,6,10b-tetrahydro-3H naphtho (2,1-b) pyran as well as four known compounds 1,2
dihydro 1,2,3 trihydroxy-9-(4-methoxy phenyl)phenalene (2)-hydroxy anigorufone(3), 2-(4-hydroxy
phenyl)naphthalic anhydride(4) and 1,7 bis(4-hydroxy phenyl) hepta-4(E),6(E)-diene-3-one Plants (Flower)
consist of tannins, saponins, reducing and non reducing sugars, sterols and triterpenes. The structure of new
tetracyclic triterpine isolated from the flowers of Musa paradisiaca was determined as (24R)- 4 14 , 24trimetrimethyl- 5- cholesta- 8, 25 (27)-dien- 3- ol. In our review, we have given special emphasis to draw
attention to the Chemistry, distribution and enormous pharmacological activity. The number of pharmacological
activity of Musa paradisiaca still needs scientific justification which would be helpful for the further research.
Key words: Musa paradisiaca, Chemical constiuents, Hepatoprotective, Hair growth promoter.

INTRODUCTION:
Musa paradisiaca is a monoherbacious plant, belonging to family Musaceae, commonly
known as plantain. Plantain refers in India to a coarse banana. The plants having two genera and 42
different species, 35 species are belongs to Musa species [1]. It is up to 9 m long Plant with a robust
tree like pseudostem, a crown of large elongated oval deep-green leaves (up to 365 cm in length and
61 cm in width), with a prominent midrib, each plant produces a single inflorescence like drooping
spike and large bracts opening in succession, ovate, 15-20 cm long, concave, dark red color and in

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somewhat fleshy. Fruits are oblong, fleshy, 5-7cm long in wild form and longer in the cultivated
varieties [2].

Photograph: Unripe fruit of Musa paradisiaca Linn.


DISTRIBUTION:
Mostly in India and Burma (In India mostly found in Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat,
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Jalgaon district in Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamilnadu etc.) and it is
also distributed in America, Australia and tropical Africa. Cultivation is limited to Florida, the Canary
Islands, Egypt, Southern Japan and South Brazil. Traditionally the Plant Musa paradisiaca was used
for different purposes such as Abscess, Alopecia (female), burns, cancer, cataplasm, diabetes, diarrhea,
dog bites, snake bite, dysentery, dyspepsia, fracture, gangrene, hematuria, hemiplegia, hemoptysis,
hemorrhage, hypertension, lizard bites, marasmus, migrain, ringworm, shingles, smallpox, syphilis,
tuberculosis, tumor, uremia, otalgia, psoriasis, urticaria, warts and wounds [3].
CHEMICAL CONSTIUTENTS:
The whole plant as well as specific parts (Flowers, banana bracts, ripe, unripe fruits, leaves and
stems) of plant extract and its active constituents have been used for the treatment of large number of
human ailments. Flower consists of tannins, saponins, reducing and non reducing sugars, sterols and
triterpenes. The structure of new tetracyclic triterpine isolated from the flowers of Musa Paradisiaca
Linn was determined as (24R)-4-14, 24-trimethyl-5-cholesta-8, 25 (27)-dien-3-ol [4]. Banana
bracts abundant edible residues of banana production were investigated as a potential source of natural
colourant. Monomeric anthocyanin content was 32.30 mg/100gm. Other anthocyanins were 3rutinoside derivatives of dephinidin, pelargonidin, peonidine and malvidin [5]. Fruit consists of
carbohydrates, amino acids, sugar and starch. Foremost components of this starch are amylose and
amylopectin, present in a ratio of around 1:5. About 1.3% of sugars are present in total dry matter in
unripe plantains, but this rises to around 17% in the ripe. The skin of the fruit is rich in cellulose
(10%), hemicelluloses (7%). The pulp protein was rich in arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid,
methionine and tryptophan [6]. A new bicyclic diaryl heptanoid rel (3S-4Ar,10Br)-8-hydroxy-3-(4hydroxy phenyl)-9-methoxy-4a,5,6,10b-tetrahydro-3H naphtho (2,1-b) pyran as well as four known
compounds 1,2 dihydro 1,2,3 trihydroxy-9-(4-methoxy phenyl) phenalene (2)-hydroxy anigorufone
(3), 2-(4-hydroxy phenyl) naphthalic anhydride(4) and 1,7 bis(4-hydroxy phenyl) hepta-4(E), 6 (E)diene-3-one(5) were isolated from ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the methanolic extract of fruits [7].
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Peeled fruits consist of two new acyl steryl glycosides Sitoindoside-III and Sitosterol myo-inositylbeta-D-glucoside have been isolated by gradients solvent extraction and extensive chromatography
(CC, GC, TLC and HPLC) [8]. Fruit pulp consists of three forms of -glucan phosphorylase,
separated by ammonium sulfate fractionation and DEAE-cellulose chromatography [9]. Leaves having
two forms (A and B) of starch phosphorylase were found in the mature banana leaf by polyacrylamide
gel electrophoresis and DEAE-cellulose chromatography [10]. The polysaccharide components present
in the scape of Musa paradisiaca were fractionated into water soluble (WSP), EDTA soluble (EDTASP), alkali soluble (ASP) and alkali insoluble (AISP) polysaccharide Fractions [11].
Mucilaginous exudates of the water soluble polysaccharides isolated from the vascular gel
(mucilaginous exudates) of Musa paradisiaca were fractionated via anion exchange chromatography
into four fractions. Fractionated polymers contained arabinose, xylose and galactouronic acid as major
sugars together with traces of galactose, rhamnose, mannose and glucose residues [12].
Table. 1 Chemical constituents present in Musa paradisiaca Linn.
S. No. Part of
plant
1

Leaves

Fruits

Peeled
fruits

Fruit pulp

Scape

Chemical constituents

Isolation method

Two forms of starch phosphorylase


(A and B)

Polyacrylamide gel
electrophoresis and DEAE cellulose chromatography.

New bicyclic diaryl heptanoid


rel (3S4Ar,10Br)-8-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-9methoxy-4a,5,6,10b-tetrahydro-3H
naphtho From ethyl acetate soluble
(2,1-b) pyran and four known compounds 1,2 fraction of the methanolic
dihydro
1,2,3
trihydroxy-9-(4-methoxy extract of fruits
phenyl) phenalene(2)-hydroxy anigorufone
(3),
2-(4-hydroxy
phenyl)
naphthalic
anhydride(4) and 1,7 bis-(4-hydroxy phenyl)
hepta-4(E), 6(E)-diene-3-one (5).
Two new acyl steryl glycosides Sitoindoside- Gradient solvent extraction
III and Sitosterol myo-inosityl-beta-D- and Extensive
chromatography (CC, GC,
glucoside.
TLC and HPLC)
Ammonium sulfate
Three forms of -glucan phosphorylase
fractionation and DEAEcellulose chromatography.
Watersoluble(WSP),alkali soluble (ASP) and
alkali insoluble(AISP) EDTA soluble (EDTASP) polysaccharide fractions.
Arabinose, xylose and galactouronic acid as
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7

Mucilagino
usexudate
Fruits Peels

Issue 4 (Vol. 2) 2012


CODEN(USA) : AJBPAD

major sugars together with traces of galactose,


rhamnose, mannose and glucose residues.

Anion exchange
chromatography

Trace elements(except Zn)

Trace elements(except Zn)

Table 2 Nutritional value of banana, plantain in compare to other food


(per 100 gm raw edible portion) 13
S. No.

Constituents

Banana

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

Water (g)
Energy (kcal)
Protein (g)
Fat (g)
Carbohydrate (g)
Calcium (mg)
Iron (mg)
Potassium (mg)
Sodium (mg)
Vitamin C (mg)
Thiamin (mg)
Riboflavin (mg)
Niacin (mg)
Vitamin A (iu)
Saturated fats (g)
m. u fats (g)
p.u fats (g)

74.26
92
1.03
0.48
23.43
6
0.31
396
1
9.1
0.045
0.100
0.540
81
0.185
0.041
0.089

Plantain Sweet
potato
65.28
72.84
122
105
1.3
1.65
0.37
0.30
31.89
24.28
3
22
0.6
0.59
499
204
4
13
18.4
22.7
0.052
0.674
0.54
0.147
0.686
0.674
1127
20063
0.143
0.064
0.032
0.011
0.069
0.132

Potato

Apple

78.96
79
2.07
0.10
17.98
7
0.76
543
6
19.7
0.088
0.035
1.484
0
0.026
0.002
0.043

83.93
59
0.19
0.36
15.25
7
0.18
115
0
5.7
0.017
0.014
0.077
53
0.058
0.015
0.105

Table 3 Percentage of U. S. recommended daily allowance of vitamin and minerals provided by


100g of Musa paradisiaca Linn.

S. No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Vitamins
Vitamin
B6
C
A
FOLACIN
THIAMIN
RIBOFLAVIN
NIACIN

Minerals
%
29
15
<2
5
3
5
3

Mineral
MAGNESIUM
COPPER
IRON
PHOSPHORUS
ZINC

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%
7
6
2
2
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Arginine, Aspartate and Glutamine are the amino acid available with maximum concentrations in
plantains. It is an excellent source of vitamins like; vitamin A (Carotene), B (Thiamine, niacin,
riboflavin and B6) and C (ascorbic acid). Although it do not provide a particularly good source of
several important minerals in human nutrition, such as calcium, iron and iodine they are notably high
in potassium and low in sodium [13].
PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES:
The various effects of Musa paradisiaca Linn. are documented in traditional as well as
scientific literature. The main pharmacologial effects of this plant are- Hepatoprotective, hair growth
promoter, diuretic, analgesic, antiulcer, wound healing, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antiurolithiatic
activity, mutagenic effects and haemostatic activity in which few are reported.
1. Antiulcer activity: Orally administered banana pulp powder was shown to have significant
antiulcerogenic activity in rats subjected to Aspirin, Indomethacin, Phenyl butazone, Prednisolone,
Cysteamine and in guinea pigs subjected to hist amine. Banana pulp powder not only increased
mucosal thickness but also significantly increases thymidine (incorporation into mucosal DNA).
Histological studies showed that banana treatment sections showed a greater aggregation and intensity
of pink spots when compared to controls. This study suggests that banana powder treatment not only
strengthens mucosal resistance against ulcerogens but also promotes healing by inducing cellular
proliferation. The active ulcerogenic ingredient was extracted from unripe plantain banana by solvent
fractionation and identified by chromatography, spectroscopy and HPLC. As the flavanoid
leucocyanidin and purified synthetic leucocyanidin demonstrated significant (p<0.05) protective effect
against aspirin induced erosion. Extracts of plantain (Musa sapientum Linn. var. paradisiaca was
studied on the accumulation of eicosanoids in incubates of human gastric and colonic mucosa. The
ethanol extracts caused a concentration dependent increase in the eicosanoid but the water extract was
ineffective. Methanolic extracts of plantain banana pulp was evaluated for its antiulcer and antioxidant
activities in 2 hr cold restraint stress and anti H. pylori activity in vitro. The extract (50mg/kg twice
daily for 5 days) showed significant antiulcer effect and antioxidant activity in gastric mucosa
homogenates where it reversed the increase in ulcer index, lipid peroxidation and superoxide
dismutase values induced by stress [14].
2. Wound healing activity: The rats were given graded dose of (50-200 Kg/day) of aqueous and
methanolic extract of Musa sapientum var. paradisiaca orally for a period of 10-21 days depending
upon the type of study. Both extracts when studied for incision and dead space wounds parameters
increased wound breaking strength and levels of hydroxyl proline, hexuronic acid, hexosamine,
superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione in the granulation tissue and decreased percentage of
wound area, scar area when compared with the control group both the extracts showed good safety
profile [15].
3. Hair Growth promoting activity: For the evaluation of the hair growth promoting activity of Musa
paradisiaca unripe fruit extract, the study was aimed to investigate the hair growth promoting activity
of Musa paradisiaca unripe fruit extract. We examined the effect of Musa Paradisiaca unripe fruit
extract for the hair growth promoting activity, which has been traditionally used for treating hair loss.
The mice were divided into four groups the extract and minoxidil were applied over the shaved skin
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surface on to the backs of mice and monitored for 30 days. The extract of Musa Paradisiaca unripe
fruit when tested for the hair growth activity was assyed by studying hair length and microscopic study
of follicles in vehicle control, 2% minoxidil treated and extracts treated animals. The findings suggest
that extract of Musa Paradisiaca unripe fruit has potential as a hair growth promoter [16-17].
4. Analgesic activity: The analgesic activity of aqueous extract of the plant was evaluated using the
hot plate method and writhing test in mice. The hot plate method is useful in detecting centrally acting
analgesics whereas acetic acid induced writhing method is useful to detect peripheral analgesic effects.
Acetic acid, which is used as an inducer for writhing syndrome, causes analgesia by liberation of
endogenous substances, which then excite the pain nerve endings. The fact that aqueous extract of
Musa paradisiaca showed analgesic activity in both the models studied, indicate that this effect could
be due to the presence of two components; one acting centrally and the other via peripheral route from
the above results, it can be deduced that aqueous extract has shown dose dependent activity. As the
phytochemical screening has shown the presence of carbohydrates, sterols, proteins, flavonoids,
alkaloids in aqueous extract of Musa paradisiaca leaves, its potent activity may be attributed to the
presence of these phytoconstituents [18].
5. Antioxidant property: The antioxidant behavior of the extracts was evaluated by using the
thiocyanate method, -carotene bleaching method and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free
radical elimination. Antioxidant activity of water extracts was comparable to those of synthetic
antioxidants such as butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene and it shows a significant
antioxidant property. The antioxidant effects of crude extracts from green banana and yellow peel
were investigated and the results indicated that the extract of green peel recorded more significant
activities than that of yellow peel at other solvents extracts [19].
6. Hepatoprotective activity:To investigate the hepatoprotective activity of stem of Musa paradisiaca
in CCl4 and paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity models in rats,the aqueous and alcoholic extracts was
utilized.Administration of hepatotoxins(CCl4 and Paracetamol) showed significant biochemical and
histological deteriorations in the liver of experimental animals.Pretrement with alcoholic extract (500
mg/kg) more significantly and to a lesser extent the alcoholic extract (250 mg/kg) and aqueous extract
(500 mg/kg), reduced the elevated levels of the serum enzymes like serum glutamic-oxaloacetic
transaminase (SGOT), Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
and bilirubin levels, Also alcoholic and aqueous extracts reversed the hepatic damage towards the
normal, which gives the evidence of hepatoprotective activity of stem of Musa paradisiacal Linn [20].
7. Mutagenic effect: Mutagenic effect of the Musa paradisiaca fruit peel extract was assessed by the
single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) and micronucleus assays. Peripheral blood cells of Swiss mice
were collected 24 h after treatment for the SCGE assay and 48 and 72 h for the micronucleus test after
feeding the extract in three different concentrations (1000, 1500 and 2000 mg/kg Body Weight). It was
concluded that the two higher doses of the extract of Musa paradisiaca induced significant increases
in the average numbers of DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes for the two higher doses and a
significant increase in the mean of micronucleated polychromatic Erythrocytes in the three doses
tested [21].
8. Haemostatic Effect of the Stem Juice of Musa paradisiaca L. :The Haemostasis involves the
spontaneous arrest of time taken for bleeding to stop was recorded. This was bleeding from damaged
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blood vessels which are important repeated using other rats and the average was taken as for initiation
of tissue repair processes and prevention of bleeding time. The procedure was repeated on the second
tissue death through haemorrhage. It occurs in three arms. However after puncturing the skin and
blood had stages: vasoconstriction, platelet response and blood started coming out, a drop of stem
juice was dropped on coagulation. A fourth stage occurs when the clot is each of the puncture sites and
the time taken for bleeding dissolved following repair of the blood vessel [22].
9. Antidiabetic activity: Methanolic extracts of mature green fruit of Musa Paradisiaca in normal and
Streptozocin treated diabetic mice using Chlorpropamide as antidiabetic agent. MEMP (100-800
mg/kg, p.o) showed significant dose related (p<0.05 0.001) reduction in the blood glucose
concentration in normal and diabetic mice. Chlorpropamide (250 mg/kg p.o) also produced significant
(p<0.01 and p<0.001) reduction in the blood glucose concentration in normal and diabetic mice [2324].
RESULT AND DISCUSSION:
This literature review presents some phytochemicals and detailed pharmacological information
of Musa paradisiaca Linn. The few pharmacological studies has been reported and number of
activities require the proper scientific justification on the plant in which diarrhoea, dysentery, ulcer,
antispasmodic, hypertension, nephroprotective activity and cardiac diseases etc are scientifically
possible. The different phytoconstituents present in the unripe fruit extract of the plant like; alkaloids,
steroids, antioxidants, flavonoids etc that gives the possibility of expected pharmacological activities
and which help for further research and treatment for the patients.

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11. S. Sharrock, C. Lusty, Nutritive value of banana, INIBAP annual report 1999, NIBAP,
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*Correspondence Author: Sanjeev Kumar, Arya College of Pharmacy, Kukas, Jaipur, Rajasthan

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