Comparative evaluation of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Musa cavendish and Musa paradisiaca pulp and peel extracts from Guinea

Banana is one of the most consumed fruits in the world. Musa cavendish and Musa paradisiaca cultivars differential nutrition-health properties and more specifically their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential are poorly known. The objective of the present study was to compare the hydroalcoholic dry extracts nutrition-health properties of these two types of Guinea bananas. Total polyphenols contents were evaluated by Folin Ciocalteu method, antioxidant capacity by DPPH, ORAC and Mito-tracker assays. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in vitro on inflammatory macrophages. NO scavenging, NO and cytokines production (TNF-α and IL-6) were assessed. At 1 mg/mL, the extracts showed moderate total polyphenol content. Antioxidant activity potential was depended on the type of extracts. Banana pulps anti-inflammatory effects were demonstrated by the inhibition of NO cell production and NO scavenging suggesting that pulps have moderate anti-inflammatory effect as a function of doses (100, 50 and 25 µg/mL). However, none of the extracts inhibited the production of cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6). The present study indicates that Guinea bananas may be considered as an interesting food source of antioxidants associated to a moderate anti-inflammatory potential on specific inflammation markers.