BACKGROUND: 'Phytonutrients' have been reported to exert an incredible impact on the healthcare system and offer medical benefits including the prevention or treatment of lifestyle-associated diseases. We chose one of the most common and important plant families, Musaceae, for our present study and explored its antidiabetic potential. RESULTS: Seeds of the edible fruits of Musa balbisianaColla. were investigated for their antidiabetic potential. After estimating the proximate composition, the seeds were extracted with various solvents and evaluated for antidiabetic potential in terms of the inhibition of digestive enzymes, antiglycation activity and in vitro glucose uptake. The acetone extract demonstrated the highest inhibition of -amylase and -glucosidase enzymes with IC 50 values of 36.67 ± 0.367 and 100.61 ± 0.707 g mL -1 , respectively. The extract also exhibited significant glycation inhibition with an IC 50 value of 86.48 ± 0.751 g mL -1 . Furthermore, a major phytochemical, apiforol, was isolated from the acetone extract for the first time, which demonstrated promising -glucosidase inhibition (IC 50 = 48.25 ± 0.255 mol L -1 ), antiglycation property (IC 50 = 114.23 ± 0.567 mol L -1 ) and enhanced glucose uptake in L6 myoblasts. In molecular docking studies, apiforol efficiently bonded to the active sites of -glucosidase enzyme 3A4A. CONCLUSIONS:As dietary intervention is one of the effective strategies for addressing diabetes, special attention is always given to natural food bio-actives or agro-products for better human health. The results of our study suggest that Musa balbisiana has significant potential as an ingredient in health food formulations by reducing postprandial hyperglycaemia.

A new subspecies of Musa velutina belonging to section Rhodochlamys from northeastern India is described and illustrated as Musa velutina subsp. markkuana. A detailed description, distribution, ecology, phenology and relevant taxonomic notes are provided.

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Musa mannii has been considered as extinct in the wild. There is no information on any collected specimen ever; the description by Baker in 1892 was based on a living specimen, and neotypification is based on a figure drawn of that living plant, published after description. Recently, M. mannii was rediscovered after a lapse of more than a century growing wild in northeastern India. Detailed description, illustration, photographs, distribution, ecological data, taxonomic history and additional notes are provided. IUCN status has been assigned here as Critically Endangered in the wild and conservation measures to be undertaken based on a field study are also provided.

Impatiens arunachalensis, a new species of Impatiens is described from the Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, northeast India. Detailed descriptions, distribution, and discussion of ecology along with colour photographs are provided.