Gastro-protective Effects of Green Banana (Musa cavendishii Lamb.) Pulp Powder on Aspirin-induced Gastric Ulcer in Albino Rats

Abstract

Green banana (Musa cavendishii) is used in the traditional medicine in Sudan to treat peptic ulcer disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the gastro-protective effect of aqueous extract of green banana pulp powder on aspirin-induced ulcer in albino rats. The effect was studied using aspirin-induced gastric damage in rats and compared between groups which were: group 1 (negative control) received water only, group 2 (positive control) received aspirin. Groups 3 and 4 were received 0.5 g/kg and 1 g/kg of banana extract before aspirin 100 mg/kg, respectively. Groups 5 and 6 were received 0.5 g/kg and 1 g/kg of banana extract of banana extract after aspirin 100 mg/kg, respectively. The results indicate that there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in ulcer index between M. cavendishii extract treated groups 3, 4, 5, 6 with ulcer index (15.0 ± 1.31), (09.5 ± 0.64), (09.0 ± 0.79) and 0 respectively when compared to the control group with ulcer index (25.5 ± 1.45). The histopathological assessment showed significant improvement as partial erosion of mucosa with groups 3 and 4, while group 5 and 6 showed total gastric aspirin induced-ulcer protection. The study concluded that banana pulp powder suspension showed significant gastro-protective effect in all groups of rats, promotes ulcer healing and strengthens the mucosa. This study confirmed the use banana in folk medicine for the management of gastric ulcer. The mechanism of protection afforded by bananas has to be further elucidated.