Antidiabetic potential of Musa paradisiaca in Streptozotocin- induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Aim: Over the last few decades the role of medicinal plants as a primary tool in the preservation of health and management of diseases is realized with great concern. This is mainly due to the use of synthetic drug molecules that produce harmful side effects, which are comparatively minimal in drugs of plant origin. The Antidiabetic activity of the flowers has been reported in the literature, but not studied systematically all parts of the M. paradisiacal (Linn.). Therefore, we have selected this plant to study all other parts of this in detail for its antidiabetic potential. Methods: The ethanolic extracts of leaves, fruit peels, stems and roots were prepared at room temperature and the extracts showing antidiabetic activity were fractionated into 4 fractions by maceration method (hexane, chloroform, n-butanol solubles an n-butanol insoluble fractions). Results: The ethanolic extracts and the hexane and chloroform fractions of leaves and fruit peels showed promising antidiabetic activity in STZ-s model. Further the isolated compounds from the active fractions did not show the antidiabetic activity. Conclusion: Further work on active molecules from this plant is required to get a lead molecule for the development of a new and potent antidiabetic drug.