A review of the ethnomedicinal, antimicrobial, and phytochemical properties of Musa paradisiaca (plantain)
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Date
2021
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Abstract
Background: More people—in both developing and developed countries—now use, and are favourably disposed
to, traditional medicine. Musa paradisiaca (plantain) is used extensively in traditional medicine across continents. In
this review, we investigated the scientifc justifcation of this extensive usage.
Main body: Generally, several studies validate usage in infectious diseases, but limited antiviral and in vivo reports
exist. The mechanistic elicitation of antimicrobial activity has similarly not been ascertained. Contrarily, data abound
from rigorous studies on physiological conditions. Activity across categories is tied to the potent phytosterols duo
of stigmasterol and β-sitosterol; and the triterpenes viz. cycloeucalenone, 24-methylene-cycloartanol, and 31-norcy clolaudenone; present in plantain. Toxicity studies, while fnite, suggest general safety and tolerance.
Conclusions: Findings in the studies reviewed projects plantain as a veritable source for drug bioprospecting that
will be of beneft to scientifc research and pharmaceutical industries
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Keywords
Musa paradisiaca, Plantain, Peel, Fruit, Antimicrobial, Phytochemicals, Extract, Medicinal, Activity
Citation
Ajijolakewu et al., 2021