Cytoprotective and healing properties of <i>Musa paradisiacal</i> Linn on gastric ulceration in albino wistar rats

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the potential preventive and healing effects of the methanolic extract of Musa paradisiacal and its effects in combination with catecholamine on indomethacin-induced peptic ulcer. Forty wistar rats (150 – 250 g) of both sexes were used for the
experiments: 20 rats for prophylaxis and 20 rats for healing assessment. Rats in prophylaxis experiment comprised four groups of five rats each. Group I (Ulcerated control) received distilled water, Groups II - IV received 0.5 ml of the plant extract orally for 14 days. Animals were fasted
for 48 hours after 14 days. 50 mg/kg of both adrenalin (Epinephrine) and dopamine were administered to members of group II and group III respectively. One hour later the animals were sacrificed. Pylorus ligation in the group II, III and IV showed significant (p< 0.05) reduction in the
ulcer index compared to group I. The ulcer index of group I was 14.8±3.5 compared to group II (8.2±1.4), Group III (4.8±1.7), and Group IV (3.0±1.1). The extract also showed 67.57% ulcer protection index. In the healing assessment study, the rats were again divided into five groups of
four rats each. 50 mg/kg of indomethacin was administered orally to the rats after a 48 hours fast to induce ulcer. Group I (ulcerated control) rats were sacrificed one hour after the administration of indomethacin (NSAID) drug and the gastric lesions in the glandular region of the stomach
assessed. Group II (ulcerated untreated control) was administered with normal saline (0.9%), Group III (positive control) was administered with 200 mg/kg of Cimetidine, Groups IV and V were treated with the extract for 14 days while supplying feed and water ad libitum. After the 14 days of
drug treatment, the stomach glandular region was assessed for healing gastric lesions. The ulcer index of the control was 29.5±0.39 and 21±0.85 in the ulcerated untreated control. The percentage ulcer inhibition of Cimetidine was 89.83% with an ulcer index of 3.0±0.46. The extract
at 100 mg/kg produced a significant (p< 0.05) dose dependent healing effect (81.35% inhibition) at a mean ulcer index of 5.5±0.93 and a significant (p< 0.05) mean ulcer index from 29.5±0.39 and 21±0.85 to 2.0±1.15 in group V (93.22%) at 200 mg/kg of the extract. Preliminary
phytochemical screening of the extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, terpenoids, proteins and carbohydrates.

Keywords: Musa paradisiacal, rat, ulceration, cytoprotective,  catecholamine, indomethacin