For many decades, herbs and herbal-derived drugs have played a key role in the fight against diseases. Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. is a monocot perennial plant belonging to the family Bromeliaceae. A. comosus, more commonly known as pineapple, is a common fruit in Malaysia. It is one of the plants that have been extensively studied around the world to understand and explore their potential.

Through the compilation of research data on A. comosus, scientists have found that the stem, peel, crown, leaves, and fruits of the A. comosus plant have been used to prepare extracts and conduct various therapeutic studies. Alkaloids, α-amylases, acid and alkaline phosphatases, anthraquinones, bromelain, cardiac glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids, glycosides, inulin, naphthoquinones, phenols, phytate, phytosterols, polyphenols, quinine, ribulose diphosphatase carboxylase, saponins, steroids, sterols, tacorin, tannins, terpenoids, and triterpenoids have been identified from several parts of A. comosus. Extracts of A. comosus have been shown to have medicinal effects such as protein anti-aggregation, wound healing, anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, anti-coagulant, anti-hyperglycemic, cardioprotective properties, etc.

In conclusion, the therapeutic properties of A. comosus have been scientifically proven, and it has great potential to be developed into various pharmaceutical products.

Awang Rahman, I., Mohamed, E., Camalxaman, S. N., Haron, N., & Rambely, A. S. (2020). Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.: a mini review of its therapeutic properties. Health Scope, 3(2), 54-59. [Link]