pineapple
Ananas comosus · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Extensive (803 studies) · ★★★★★
Pineapple, scientifically known as Ananas comosus, is a tropical perennial celebrated for its succulent fruit. Beyond its culinary popularity, it serves as a potent medicinal plant. Rich in bromelain, an enzyme with powerful anti-inflammatory and digestive properties, it aids in healing, reducing swelling, and supporting overall gastrointestinal health.
- Family
- Bromeliaceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Stem · Root
- Common names
- Pineapple
- Scientific synonyms
- Bromelia Comosa
Names
Common Names
- pineapple
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- ananá
- piña
- anana
- Piña
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Ananas comosusSynonyms
- Bromelia comosa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Ananas comosus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling under the order Poaales. Finally, it is a member of the Bromeliaceae family within the genus Ananas.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Poales | WCVP |
| Family | Bromeliaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ananas | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant, known as Ananas comosus, is primarily distributed across several regions within West Tropical Africa. Its presence is specifically documented in the nation of Gambia, where it grows in local environments. It can also be found throughout the territories of Guinea-Bissau and Guinea. Furthermore, the species extends its reach into the Ivory Coast. Finally, its geographical range includes the country of Senegal.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Congo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Equatorial Guinea | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Ananas comosus, commonly known as pineapple, possesses unique morphological features that contribute to its medicinal and nutritional value. The stem serves as the central structural axis of the plant, though it is relatively short and stout, supporting the rosette of leaves and the developing fruit. Within the plant's tissues, particularly in the stem and the fruit, lies bromelain, a powerful proteolytic enzyme widely used for its anti-inflammatory and digestive properties. Additionally, the plant develops a fibrous root system that anchors it firmly in the soil and facilitates the absorption of water and essential nutrients necessary for its growth.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| stem | Planta medica (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Ananas comosus has 148 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BROMELAIN, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, BETA-SITOSTEROL, FAT.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| BROMELAIN | 9 supporting sources | ★★★★☆ |
| caffeic acid | 3 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| p-coumaric acid | 3 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| BETA-SITOSTEROL | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| FAT | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ascorbic acid | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1-O-Caffeoylglycerol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1-o-p-coumaroylglycerol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2,5-Dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
BROMELAIN
- Dr. Duke
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
- Applied biochemistry and biotechnology
- Scientific reports
- Journal of parasitology research
View 4 additional sources
- Planta medica
- Current pharmaceutical design
- Nutrients
- International journal of biological macromolecules
caffeic acid
- Dr. Duke
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
- Journal of food science
p-coumaric acid
- Dr. Duke
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
- Journal of food science
BETA-SITOSTEROL
- Dr. Duke
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
FAT
- Dr. Duke
- Journal of pharmacopuncture
ascorbic acid
- Dr. Duke
- Journal of pharmacopuncture
1-O-Caffeoylglycerol
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
1-o-p-coumaroylglycerol
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2,5-Dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone
- Dr. Duke
5-HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE
- Dr. Duke
Activities
Ananas comosus has 613 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antileukemic, Digestive, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antileukemic | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Digestive | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ACE-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Abortifacient | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Absorbent | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acaricide | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acarifuge | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acetylcholinergic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ananas comosus has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include blood coagulation, burns, cancer, cardiac disease, dysentery.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| blood coagulation | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| burns | Planta medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | Current pharmaceutical design (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiac disease | Journal of food science (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysentery | Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysuria | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| helminthiases | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| indigestion | Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| platelet aggregation | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Root extracts | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| active cream | Acta poloniae pharmaceutica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dichloromethane extracts | Journal of helminthology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethanol extracts | Journal of helminthology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| plant extracts | Current pharmaceutical biotechnology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem fractions | Planta medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| topical cream | Acta poloniae pharmaceutica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| topical skincare products | Acta poloniae pharmaceutica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| water extracts | Journal of helminthology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |