BIOCHEMICAL EFFECT OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF Musa paradisiaca

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the potential of ethanol extract of unripe Musa paradisiaca fruit in the treatment of aspirin induced gastric ulceration in male wistar rats and its effect on liver function indices (ALT, AST, ALP and Albumin concentration). 24 wistar rats were divided into six (6) groups of four rats each. 200mg/kg single dose of aspirin was administered to all the groups except Group1 rats which served as normal control. Group 2 rats served as negative control. Group 3, Group 4 and Group5 rats were treated with 800mg/kg, 400mg/kg, 200mg/kg body weight of ethanol extract of unripe Musa paradisiaca fruit respectively. Group 6 rats were treated with 5mg/kg body weight of standard drug (Omeprazole).The animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, the liver was harvested and ulcer index was determined on harvested stomach tissue. From the result, there was an increase in ALT activity in all the test groups when compared with the control group, but this increase was not significant (P>0.05). There was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in AST activity in all the test groups when compared with the control group. There was no significant increase or decrease (P>0.05) in ALP activity in all the test groups when compared with the control group. There was no significant increase (P>0.05) in Albumin level in all the test groups when compared with the control group. The mean ulcer index in Group 2 (untreated) was significantly decreased (P<0.05) from other groups, and the group that received 200mg/kg B.wt of extract had the highest percentage ulcer inhibition. The non-significant change in ALT level which is key liver enzyme, and the non-significant change in albumin level indicate that the ethanol extract of unripe Musa paradisiaca fruit has no adverse effect on the liver. This study demonstrated that the ethanol extract from Musa paradisiaca fruit is effective in treating gastric ulcer, as it reduces the mean ulcer index in male wistar rats with aspirin induced gastric ulcers in a manner that depends on the dosage used.