MUSA PARADISIACA FLOWER: A REVIEW OF ITS PHARMACOLOGICAL POTENTIAL

Objective: To review phytochemical composition and pharmacological potentials of Musa paradisiaca inflorescence and summarize experimental evidence supporting the therapeutic use of plant part.
Methods: Scientific literature reporting phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Musa paradisiaca flower was gathered and evaluated. Individual studies investigating biological activities and mechanisms of action were included in the review.
Results: Musa paradisiaca flower contains phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponin glycosides, terpenoids, steroids, fatty acid, quercetin, catechin, chlorogenic acid and beta-sitosterol.
The reviewed studies reported that Musa paradisiaca flower extract possesses antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory , immunomodulatory, osteoprotective, antiulcer ,galactagogue and hypolipidemic activities .The mechanism by which the extract exerts its effect are free radical scavenging ,alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition, modulation of cell-cycle regulatory proteins and apoptosis-related pathways ,improvement of glucose and lipid metabolism and suppression of the TLR4/NF-ϰβ signaling cascade. Most of the included studies were conducted using in vitro and in vivo models.
Conclusion: Musa paradisiaca flower is a rich source of biologically active phytoconstituents. The review confirmed the need for further preclinical and clinical studies to explore the pharmacological potential and safety of this plant part.