Anti‐Inflammatory, Antioxidant, Molecular Docking and Pharmacokinetics Properties of Cycloeucalenone Isolated From <i>Musa</i> × <i>paradisiaca</i> L. Fruit Peels

This study isolated a compound with anti-inflammatory properties from Musa × paradisiaca fruit peels. The methanol extract was partitioned, and the hexane fraction with the best bioactivity was subjected to column chromatography before characterization via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), UV-visible (UV-VIS) and NMR analysis. The in vivo anti-inflammatory properties of the methanol extract and hexane fraction were investigated using the formalin-induced oedema model in rats. The compound's antioxidant, red blood cell (RBC) membrane stabilization and phospholipase-A2 (PL-A2) inhibitory effects were evaluated in vitro. The UV-VIS spectrum at 222 nm absorbance and FTIR absorption at 2922, 2855, 1707, 1643, 1453 and 1375 cm^-1 with proton and carbon-13 spectra suggest the compound is a steroid. The in vivo anti-inflammatory assay showed significant oedema reduction of the hexane fraction at 200 mg/kg. The compound also displayed Fe³⁺ reduction and scavenged free radical molecules while showing PL-A2 inhibition and the ability to limit RBC haemolysis. The compound also presented stronger affinities for PL-A2 (-7.6 kcal/mol) and NF-κB (-6.0 kcal/mol) than indomethacin and ibuprofen drugs, with a favourable pharmacokinetic model. Though M. × paradisiaca fruit peels are often discarded as waste, our study highlights a sustainable approach to the reutilization of this plant material as a source of a lead molecule for inflammatory disease management.