Ravenala madagascariensis, commonly known as the Traveler’s tree, is a medicinally rich plant
native to Madagascar and well adapted to tropical and subtropical regions. It has been
traditionally used by the native people of Madagascar for various therapeutic purposes. The
purpose of this review is to present an extensive overview of the plant’s pharmacological
activities, which include antioxidant, antithyrosine, insulin secretagogue, antidiabetic,
antibacterial, antifungal, antithrombolytic, anticholinesterase, anticancer, and antiurolithiatic
effects the ethnobotanical uses and phytochemical interpretations reveal that different parts of the
plant contain diverse bioactive compounds. A total of ten pharmacological studies have been
reviewed, covering extracts such as methanol, ethanol, n-hexane, and ethyl acetate, which were
tested against microbes (bacteria and fungi) as well as in animal models (rats). The results
indicate that R. madagascariensis possesses significant pharmacological activities, particularly
the methanolic leaf extract, which demonstrated a wide range of therapeutic effects.
Ethnobotanical reports also highlight its traditional applications in treating kidney stone
problems, as an antiseptic, and as an antidiabetic remedy. This review emphasizes the value ofRavenala madagascariensis and its bioactive components, which hold strong potential for the
development of both clinical and pharmacological applications, thereby supporting its integration
into modern therapeutic practices.
Keywords: antioxidant, antithyrosine, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antithrombolytic,
anticholinesterase
Publication date: 01/08/2026
https://www.ijbpas.com/pdf/2026/August/MS_IJBPAS_2026_10397.pdf
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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2026/15.8.10397
