Methanolic Extract of Musa sapientum (L var. paradisiaca) Sucker Improves Lipid Profiles in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Alterations in plasma lipid profiles are common occurrences in diabetes. There is also a pos. correlation between the risk of developing ischemic heart disease and raised plasma cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. Musa sapientum sucker ext. has proven to be an effective antidiabetic agent by lowering blood sugar level and improve the islets of Langerhans. In this study, effect of different concns. of methanolic exts. of Musa sapientum sucker on plasma lipid profile were assessed in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Total plasma cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride were detd. using enzymic kits, while plasma LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, atherogenic and coronary risk indexes were calcd. The ext. at 5 mg and 10 mg/kg/body wt./day reduced significantly (p<0.05) the total plasma cholesterol, very low d. lipoprotein cholesterol and plasma triglyceride. Administration of the ext. also reduced significantly (p<0.05) the atherogenic and coronary risk indexes. However, a significant increase (p<0.05) was obsd. in plasma HDL cholesterol. The result of the study indicates that Musa sapientum sucker ext. was effective in improving plasma lipid profile assocd. with cardiovascular risk factors in alloxan induced diabetic rats. [on SciFinder(R)]