A review of the ethnomedicinal, antimicrobial, and phytochemical properties of Musa paradisiaca (plantain)

Abstract Background More people—in both developing and developed countries—now use, are favourably disposed to, traditional medicine. Musa paradisiaca (plantain) is used extensively in medicine across continents. In this review, we investigated the scientific justification of extensive usage. Main body Generally, several studies validate usage infectious diseases, but limited antiviral vivo reports exist. The mechanistic elicitation antimicrobial activity has similarly not been ascertained. Contrarily, data abound from rigorous on physiological conditions. Activity categories tied to potent phytosterols duo stigmasterol ?-sitosterol; triterpenes viz. cycloeucalenone, 24-methylene-cycloartanol, 31-norcyclolaudenone; present plantain. Toxicity studies, while finite, suggest general safety tolerance. Conclusions Findings reviewed projects plantain as a veritable source for drug bioprospecting that will be benefit research pharmaceutical industries.