First report on glucocerebrosides from unripe banana peel: Its anti-inflammatory and α-glucosidase inhibition properties

Abstract

Banana peel represents a significant waste product of banana processing industries that can yield high-value products. Banana peel contains flavonols, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, and various phenolic compounds such as catechin, epicatechin, and catecholamines. Recent studies have demonstrated the immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic potential of these compounds. The current work serves as the first report on the glucocerebroside (GC) consortium from the unripe banana peel Musa (AAB) cv. Nendran. Through high resolution mass spectrometry analysis, we have identified eighteen molecular species of GC, containing α- and ω‑hydroxy fatty acids. The in vitro anti-inflammation potential of GC consortium was assessed in RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell line. The GC consortium at a dose of 50 μg/mL, showed a significant reduction in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis demonstrated GC's immunomodulation potential by showing a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines and increase in anti-inflammatory cytokine production. Furthermore, GC exhibited potent α-glucosidase inhibition with an IC50 value of 5.12 ± 0.51 μg/mL, significantly lower than standard acarbose (IC50 = 87.32 ± 1.99 μg/mL). This research highlights the potential of GC as a promising candidate for therapeutic application due to its anti-inflammatory and α-glucosidase inhibition properties.