title: Antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects of the stem of Musa sapientum Linn. in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Musa sapientum Linn. is a herbaceous plant of the Musaceae family. It has been used in India for the treatment of gastric ulcer, hypertension, diarrhea, dysentery, and diabetes. The antidiabetic effect of the fruit, root, and flower has been demonstrated. The aim of the present study was to assess the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects of the stem of M. sapientum Linn.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diabetes was induced in rats by streptozotocin injection (45 mg/kg, i.p.). Diabetic rats were treated for 2 weeks with different doses of lyophilized stem juice of M. sapientum Linn. (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) to select the most effective dose. The effects of 4 weeks treatment with this dose (50 mg/kg) on fasting and postprandial plasma glucose (FPG, PPG) levels, body weight, lipid profile, HbA1c, insulin, liver enzymes (i.e. glucokinase, glucose-6-phosphatase and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A [HMG-CoA] reductase) and muscle and liver glycogen were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most effective dose of lyophilized stem juice of M. sapientum Linn. was 50 mg/kg. Four weeks treatment with this dose resulted in significant decreases in FPG and PPG (P < 0.05). Serum insulin increased (P < 0.05) whereas HbA1c decreased (P < 0.05). Diabetes-induced changes to the lipid profile, muscle and liver glycogen, and enzyme activity (i.e. glucokinase, glucose-6-phosphatase, and HMG-CoA reductase) were restored near to normal levels (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diabetic rats responded favorably to treatment with lyophilized stem juice of M. sapientum Linn., which exhibits antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, UCMS and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital Complex, University College of Medical Sciences, Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Piyush
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dikshit
authors.forename: Kirtikar
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shukla
authors.forename: Mool Kumar
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Tyagi
authors.forename: Piyush
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Garg
authors.forename: Jasvindar K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Gambhir
authors.forename: Rimi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shukla
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008112:Liver Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D028521:Musa / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013311:Streptozocin
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008112:Liver Glycogen; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013311:Streptozocin