Abstract

Plantain (Musa paradisiaca) is used for the management of diabetics amongst other diseases. In this study, a comparative antihyperglycemic effect of three solvents (different polarity) extracts of the roots was assessed in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Six groups of Albino rats (males) were used. Group I: Normal control rats; Group II: Diabetic control rats; Groups III - V: Diabetic rats treated with 200 mg/kg of Petroleum ether, acetone and ethanol extracts, respectively of M. paradisiaca; Group VI: Diabetic rat + 600 μg/kg glibenclamide. All treatments were administered orally for three weeks. A decrease in body weight and increase in fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, alteration of serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant levels were observed in the diabetic control rats. However, treatment with the extracts for 3 weeks resulted in significant (p < 0.05) reduction of FBG level and increased in body weight of the diabetic rats. A significant (p <0.05) improvement was also seen in the lipid profile [total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)] of the diabetic rats treated with extracts compared with the diabetic control rats. Also, the renal/hepatic STZ induced oxidative stress in the diabetic rats were reverted to near normality following oral administration of the extract(s). The results show that the antidiabetic activity of M. paradisiaca with the ethanol extract showing better effect among all three extracts used.