A COMPARATIVE IN VITRO ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC ACTIVITIES OF EXTRACTS OF MUSA PARADISIACA STEM

Abstract

• Alpha- amylase and alpha glucosidase enzymes present in the small intestines are vital in the digestion of carbohydrates. Glucose absorption is delayed by inhibiting the two enzymes thereby preventing a sharp increase of blood glucose. This has been a different therapeutic approach in the management of patients with diabetes. In this study, acetone and ethanol extracts from stem of plantain (Musa paradisiaca) were estimated for their in vitro antihyperglycemic activity and their total phenolic content using standard protocols. The study was informed following lead by traditional herbal healers and paucity of information on the antidiabetic property of this particular plantain in literature. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher values were noticed in the phenolic composition of acetone extract when compared with ethanol extract at the least concentration of extracts used (0.25 mg/mL). Also, lower concentration of phenolic content was detected in the ethanol extract relative to the higher concentration of acetone extract used (1.00 mg/mL). Both extracts of acetone and ethanol significantly inhibited the carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzyme activities in a manner that was dose dependent. Comparatively, acetone extract gave better inhibitory activity in relation to the extract of ethanol and the total phenolic composition was also higher in this extract location. Thus, in this study, extracts of M. paradisiaca showed high inhibitory activity of alpha glucosidase and moderate alpha amylase inhibitory activity hence suggesting to be potential antihyperglycemic agents.