Abstract
Edible portions of bananas contain high levels of polyphenol oxidase, which catalyzes reactions in the melanin formation pathway. Tyrosine, a physiological substrate of polyphenol oxidase, has an analogous structure to acetaminophen. We investigated whether banana extract causes structural changes in acetaminophen and a decrease in its potency. Acetaminophen concentration in banana extract was measured under different conditions to characterize incompatibility. Reaction products in solution were identified using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (LC/ESI/MS). Acetaminophen potency decreased with time in the presence of banana extract. The reaction proceeded most efficiently in temperatures 30–37°C and neutral to weakly acidic conditions. Molecular ion peaks derived from the oxidized catechol moiety of acetaminophen were identified in LC/ESI/MS spectra. Our findings suggest that incorporation or simultaneous administration of acetaminophen medication and banana juice may result in decreased efficacy of the clinically important drug. This interaction is likely due to the oxidation of acetaminophen by polyphenol oxidase activity in banana pulp. Therefore, we investigated and characterized a novel interaction between bananas and acetaminophen. To establish a safe and effective antipyretic analgesic regimen using acetaminophen, future studies of this interaction are expected to be performed in humans.
Highlights
Acetaminophen is one of the drugs most often prescribed as an antipyretic analgesic for the treatment of common cold symptoms
More than 80% of acetaminophen loss was observed in fresh banana pulp supernatant, whereas the amount of acetaminophen did not change in autoclaved banana pulp supernatant
Bananas were found to diminish acetaminophen potency, and the incompatibility appeared to be due to an enzymatic reaction catalyzed by polyphenol oxidase contained in banana pulp
Summary
Acetaminophen is one of the drugs most often prescribed as an antipyretic analgesic for the treatment of common cold symptoms. It is a major component of over-the-counter (OTC) pediatric cold medications, and non-medical personnel are limited to administering it as an antipyretic at infant and pediatric dosage. Bananas are highly nutritious and considered useful and beneficial dietary supplements during times of illness. They are incorporated into juices and other edibles and recommended as baby food; bananas are frequently used as a medium for admixing drugs to aid their administration to infants and children. Banana components have been shown to interact and attenuate the actions of catecholic medications such as levodopa and reduce drug bioavailability and efficacy [2, 3]
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