Abstract

VARIATIONS IN ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE IS PRESENT IN DIFFERENT SUB-CULTIVARS OF FRUIT SKINS OF MUSA SAPIENTUM L. (BANANA)

Rahat Al-Mahamud, Khoshnur Jannat, Maidul Islam, Nasrin Akter Shova, Rownak Jahan, Md. Najmul Hossain, Abdul Hamid, Mohammed Rahmatullah*

Abstract

Background: In previous studies we have observed that methanol extracts of fruit skins of various types of cultivated banana species (Musa sapientum and Musa seminifera) can improve glucose tolerance in glucose-loaded mice. The objective of this study was to evaluate the comparative oral glucose tolerance efficacy of methanol extract of fruit skins of three different sub-cultivars of Musa sapientum cultivar Champa. Methods: Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was done to evaluate glucose tolerance. Results: In oral glucose tolerance tests, methanol extract of fruit skins of Musa sapientum cultivar Champa sub-cultivar Zin significantly and dose-dependently reduced blood glucose levels in glucose-loaded mice by 16.6, 36.7, and 42.9%, respectively, at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg each per kg body weight in mice. Methanol extract of fruit skins of Musa sapientum cultivar Champa sub-cultivar Kanthal Champa dose-dependently reduced blood glucose levels in glucose-loaded mice by 4.5, 19.0, and 34.6%, respectively, at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg each per kg body weight. Methanol extract of fruit skins of Musa sapientum cultivar Champa sub-cultivar Bangla dose-dependently and significantly reduced blood glucose levels in glucose-loaded mice by 19.7, 27.3, and 35.3%, respectively, at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg each per kg body weight. By comparison, a standard antihyperglycemic drug, glibenclamide reduced blood glucose levels by 41.9% at a dose of 10 mg per kg. The results suggest that while various species, cultivars and sub-cultivars of banana may reduce blood glucose levels in glucose-loaded mice, the comparative ability to do so is different. Conclusion: To lower blood glucose levels with extract of banana skins, it is important to determine the comparative efficacy of different banana species, cultivars and even sub-cultivars.

Keywords: Antihyperglycemic, Musa sapientum, OGTT, diabetes, sub-cultivar.