Preliminary Antidiabetic Potential of Ugandan- Matooke (Musa paradisiaca) Peels

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycaemia over a prolonged period. In Uganda, unripe Musa paradisiaca (banana) is a staple food which is deskinned before cooking. In West Africa, however, the unpeeled banana is cooked for diabetics.

Aim: The objective of the study was to assess the hypoglycemic and body weight changes in experimental diabetic Wistar rats treated with green banana peel extracts.

Methodology: Out of the thirty-nine male rats used for the study, nine were used for the evaluation of possible oral acute toxicity. The remaining thirty were divided into six groups of 5 rats each. Experimental diabetes mellitus was induced by intravenous injection of alloxan (65 mg/kg body weight) the alloxan and treated with insulin, distilled water and graded doses of the extract (1000 mg/kg, 2000 mg/kg and 4000 mg/kg body weight) for two weeks.

The weight and blood glucose levels were measured before and after induction and prior to administration of treatment dosages. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 20. ANOVA and spearman’s rank correlation tests determined significant changes in values at 95% confidence interval.

Results: The rats showed no signs of toxicity nor death even at a dose of 10,000 mg/kg body weight. Phytochemical screening revealed saponins, tannins, phenols, flavonoids, cardiac glycoside, alkaloids, steroids and terpenoids. This study demonstrates that Musa paradisiaca peels significantly attenuated blood glucose levels (P < 0.005) and regulated body weights at doses (≥ 2000 mg/kg) which are essential parameters in the management of diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion: In line with the findings, unripe banana peels are anti-diabetic; unripe bananas therefore, should be cooked with the skins to derive its established anti-diabetic benefits.