Antiallergic potential of a pseudo-stem powder of Musa paradisiaca L. (banana)

Abstract

Introduction: The use of Musa paradisiaca L. (banana) pseudo-stem powder and juice for the treatment of cold and asthma is part of Cuban traditional medicine. There is not information about the influence of banana stem products on allergic reactions. Therefore, this work was aimed to assess the antiallergic potential of a banana pseudo-stem powder (BPSP) by the use of an experimental model with mice. Methods: Banana stems were collected at Marianao Municipality in Havana. The plant material was ground and filtered and the resulting powder was suspended with acacia 10 mg/mL for experiments. Acute oral toxicity was determined in both sex rats. Female BALB/c mice were sensitized against ovalbumin. Single doses of the powder (60 mg/kg b.w.) or ketotifen (3 mg/kg b.w.) were administered 1 hour before the induction systemic anaphylaxis by i.v. injection of ovalbumin. Moreover, the test product, (0,6; 2; 6 and 20 mg/kg b.w. x day) was given to mice during the immunization period, followed by the induction of systemic anaphylaxis or the measurement of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis titers of mice antisera in rats. Results: There were neither deaths nor any sign of toxicity among the rats treated with banana powder. Unlike ketotifen, a single oral dose of this product was unable to inhibit systemic anaphylaxis in mice. However, a daily oral treatment produced the significant reduction of active and passive anaphylaxis. Conclusion: This work has given the first experimental evidence that a pseudo-stem powder of M. paradisiaca grown in Cuba has an antiallergic potential.