Abstract

This study investigated the antiulcer activity of aqueous extract of unripe Musa paradisiacal (plantain) peels in rats using ethanol, aspirin, indomethacin and pyloric ligation-induced ulcer models. Fresh peels of M. paradisiaca were extracted in hot water and the yield lyophilised. Distilled water, standard drugs and extract were injected intraperitoneally before inducing ulcer. Lethality test and quantitative phytochemical analyses were also carried out using standard techniques. Results showed that the extract at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg wt offered 73.87, 80.18 and 81.98% protection, respectively against ethanol-induced ulcer, whereas cimetidine (50 mg/kg) produced 72.07% ulcer protection. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the various groups. The extract also inhibited aspirin-induced ulcer whereas omeprazole (20 mg/kg) significantly enhanced aspirin-induced ulcer. Similar to cimetidine, the extract did not inhibit indomethacin-induced ulceration. Extract (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) and cimetidine (50 mg/kg) inhibited pyloric ligation-induced ulcer by 100 and 75%, respectively. Findings suggest antiulcerogenic potentials of the extract, thereby supporting its ethnomedicinal use as antiulcer agent. Up to 5000 mg/kg of extract did not cause mortality of the animals, indicating safety of the extract. The extract was rich in flavonoids (1.40 ± 0.02 mg/100 g).

Key words: Musa paradisiaca, peptic ulcer, antiulcerogenesis, aspirin-induced ulcer, medicinal plants, flavonoids.