Phytochemical profiling, toxicity studies, wound healing, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Musa paradisiaca L. Musaceae (Plantain) stem extract in rats

• Published in: Journal of ethnopharmacology 2024-03, Vol.322, p.117639-117639, Article 117639
• Main Authors: Ekweogu, Celestine Nwabu, Akubugwo, Emmanuel Iroha, Emmanuel, Okezie, Nosiri, Chidi Ijeoma, Uche, Mercylyn Ezinne, Adurosakin, Oluwapelumi Eniola, Ijioma, Solomon Nnah, Ugbogu, Eziuche Amadike
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analgesics - therapeutic use; Analgesics - toxicity; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - toxicity; Cholesterol - pharmacology; Lipids - pharmacology; Musa - chemistry; Musaceae; Phytochemicals - therapeutic use; Phytochemicals - toxicity; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Plant Extracts - toxicity; Plantago; Pseudoephedrine - pharmacology; Rats; Wound Healing
• ISSN: 0378-8741; 1872-7573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117639

The stem of Musa paradisiaca (plantain) has found application in traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes, inflammation, ulcers and wound injuries. This study investigated the phytochemical composition, toxicity profile, wound healing, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of aqueous Musa paradisiaca stem extract (AMPSE) in rats. Phytochemical analysis of methanol-MPSE was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Acute toxicity testing was carried out through oral administration of a single dose of AMPSE up to 5 g/kg. Four separate groups of rats were used for the subacute toxicity testing (n = 6). Group 1 served as a normal control and did not receive AMPSE, groups 2-4 received AMPSE daily by gavage for 28 days. In the experiments with excision and incision wounds, the rats were treated with 10 w/w AMPS extract. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of AMPSE were assessed using egg albumin-induced paw oedema and acetic acid-induced writhing methods, respectively. For the subacute, anti-inflammatory and analgesic studies, AMPSE was administered to the experimental rats at doses of 300, 600 and 900 mg/kg body weight. Bioactive compounds identified include β-sitisterol, n-hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, diethyl sulfate, p-hydroxynorephedrine, phenylephrine, nor-pseudoephedrine, metaraminol, pseudoephedrine and vanillic acid. No signs of toxicity and no deaths were observed in all the groups. For the groups treated with AMPSE for 28 days, a significant reduction in alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, urea, sodium, chloride, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were observed while high density lipoprotein cholesterol, glutathione and superoxide dismutase increased compared to control (p