Evaluation of Anti-Gastric Ulcer Activity of Ethanolic Extract from Pseudostem of Musa × paradisiaca in Experimental Animals

Abstract

Abstract

Musa × paradisiaca belongs to the family Musaceae. It is one of most popular fruit crops in Thailand and is traditionally used for various ailments. The present study was carried out on the anti-gastric ulcer activity of M. × paradisiaca pseudostem in experimental animals. Experimentally induced gastric ulceration was created using absolute alcohol, indomethacin and swimming stress. Pre-treatment with the ethanolic extract of pseudostem at doses of 250, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg for 1 h prior to induction of gastric ulcer showed a significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent reduction to the ulcer index from the low dose (250 mg/kg) in all experimental models when compared to the control group. The protection percentage of ethanolic extract of pseudostem at a dose of 1,000 mg/kg for absolute alcohol, indomethacin and swimming stress models was 75.06, 66.49 and 67.11 %, respectively. For anti-secretion effects, the ethanolic extract of pseudostem caused a significantly (p<0.05) decrease in gastric acidity with no effect on gastric volume, total protein and pepsin. Furthermore, pre-treatment with ethanolic extract of pseudostem in different doses promoted gastroprotective effects by significantly (p<0.01) increasing gastric wall mucus content from the lowest dose (250 mg/kg) and increasing gastric pH at the highest dose (1,000 mg/kg) when compared to the control group. The findings therefore indicate that pseudostem of M. × paradisiaca possess anti-ulcer activities in experimental animals induced by absolute alcohol, indomethacin and swimming stress, which might be due to promoting mucus secretion. 

Keywords: gastric ulcer; anti-gastric ulcer activity; Musa × paradisiaca pseudostem