Philippine E-Journals

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Musa acuminata x balbisiana (L.) Leaves in Wistar Rats

Maria Almira R Natividad

 

Abstract:

Plant extracts have been alternative forms of medicinal treatments. They have been the best source of remedies for a variety of diseases and pains. Musa acuminata x balbisiana or Saba banana is one of the world’s leading food crops with a great source of minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, flavonoids and phenolic compounds. Every part of the plant is believed to have medicinal properties as recorded by traditional folklore. Bananas contain natural flavonoids, which act as antioxidants to reduce swelling, irritation, and inflammation. The aim of the study is to determine if the leaves would also exhibit anti-inflammatory properties similar to its fruit peel extract. Paw swelling or footpad oedema is a convenient method for assessing inflammatory responses to antigenic challenges and irritants. Four groups of Wistar rats were treated orally with different concentrations of M. acuminata x balbisiana extract. The results obtained from the formaldehyde induced arthritis showed that the extracts signifcantly (p<0.5) reduced the level of inflammation in Wistar rats. The ethanolic extract of the saba banana leaves have signifcant anti-inflammatory activity.