ABSTRACT:
Musa paradisiacal unripe fruit pulps have been traditionally used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. This study was carried out to find out the hypoglycemic effect of Musa paradisiacal unripe fruit pulps on normal and alloxan induced diabetic mice. Effect of Musa paradisiacal extract on body weight in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic mice was also investigated. The study was performed in four different groups of mice for a period of 14 days. Test groups were made diabetic with intra-peritoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate at a single dose of 180mg/kg body weight. Mice were administered500 mg/kg body weight of crude ethanol extract of Musa paradisiacal unripe fruit per day for a period of 14 days. The blood glucose levels of the experimental mice were estimated using glucometer and change in body weight was also assessed. In diabetic mice, blood glucose levels were significantly reduced on consumption of the plant extracts. Plant extracts prevented further loss of body weight to some extent. Administration of ethanolic extract of Musa paradisiacal unripe fruit pulps may contribute significantly to the reduction of blood glucose levels and can be useful in the management and treatment of diabetes.