Hypoglycemic activity of aqueous extract of unripe plantain (Musa paradisiaca) in normal and diabetic rats

Oloyede Omotade I.

Department of Biochemistry, University of Ado-Ekiti Nigeria.    

ABSTRACT: The influence of the crude aqueous extract of unripe plantain (Musa paradisiaca) was investigated in both normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The extract reduced the blood glucose level of normal rats from 6 hours after administration (50.25 ± 7.10mg/dl) to 41.00 ± 3.40mg/dl 24 hours after administration (P < 0.05) and also reduced the blood glucose of alloxan-induced diabetic rats from 4 hours (532.50 ± 43.70mg/dl) to 499.00 ± 45.72mg/dl (8 hours after administration). Normal treated rats shows effective glucose tolerance after glucose loading. The result of this experimental study indicates that in the animal model used (Rat); aqueous extract possesses hypoglycemic activity which may be due to stimulation of insulin production and subsequent glucose utilisation. Nevertheless, this finding shows that unripe plantain (Musa paradisiaca) lends credence to the suggested folkloric use in management of diabetes.

KEYWORDS: Hypoglycemic activity; Musa paradisiaca; alloxan; glucose tolerance

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