Healing from the Peel: Exploring the Bioactive Potential of Bananas for Gastric Ulcer Management

Abstract

Bananas (Musaceae), herbaceous plants widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions, are traditionally used for their purported therapeutic effects on early-stage gastric ulcers. This comprehensive review provides an analysis of the bioactive compounds in bananas, with a focus on the influence of varietal differences and ripening stages. Researchers have identified key bioactive molecules in bananas, including phenolic compounds, carotenoids, and biogenic amines, predominantly located in the banana peel. Unripe bananas contain higher levels of phenolic compounds and biogenic amines, whereas ripened bananas exhibit increased carotenoid content. Additionally, in vivo studies have indicated that flavonoids, particularly leucocyanidin, exert gastroprotective effects by enhancing gastric mucosal thickness and increasing epidermal growth factor receptor expression, which promotes angiogenesis and re-epithelialization of the gastric mucosa, thereby protecting against ulcer formation. The findings reinforce the medicinal value of bananas, particularly in their unripe state, and highlight the importance of further exploration into their bioactive components for the development of natural therapies targeting gastric health.

Keywords: bananas; gastric ulcer; gastritis; peel; pulp.