Abstract

ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE EFFICACY OF FRUIT SKINS OF MUSA SAPIENTUM FROM MUNSHIGANJ AND NARSINGDI DISTRICTS, BANGLADESH

Md. Zakaria Morshed and Mohammed Rahmatullah*

Abstract

Background: Several previous studies from our laboratory have shown that fruit skins of a number of Musa species and their various cultivars were effective enhancers of oral glucose tolerance. Since phytochemicals present in plants are responsible for their pharmacological effects and such bio-active constituents can vary in the same species of plant but grown at different locations, it was of interest to determine oral glucose tolerance efficacy of Musa sapientum (banana) fruit skins grown in two different locations (Munshiganj and Narsingdi) of Bangladesh. Methods: Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was done to evaluate glucose tolerance. Results: In oral glucose tolerance tests, methanol extract of fruit skins (Munshiganj) dose-dependently and significantly reduced blood glucose levels in glucose-loaded mice. At doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight the extract (MEMSM) lowered blood glucose levels by 6.6, 18.2, 24.5, and 34.3%, respectively, compared to control animals. At doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight the extract (MEMSN) obtained from Narsingdi grown fruit skins lowered blood glucose levels by 10.5, 20.6, 28.7, and 35.7%, respectively. By comparison, a standard antihyperglycemic drug, glibenclamide reduced blood glucose levels by 40.6% at a dose of 10 mg per kg. Conclusion: The fruit skins can be an effective means for lowering blood glucose in persons with elevated blood glucose levels.

Keywords: Antihyperglycemic, Musa sapientum, OGTT, diabetes, Munshiganj, Narsingdi.