article · Asian Journal of Science Technology Engineering and Art
Traditional medicine often employs banana leaves, scientifically known as Musa paradisiaca, to manage ailments linked to oxidative stress. A laboratory evaluation assessed the liver-protecting qualities of an ethanolic extract from these leaves in albino rats exposed to carbon tetrachloride, a chemical that causes liver toxicity. Phytochemical testing revealed that the extract contains alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, and steroids. In the animal trials, oral treatment with the leaf extract at doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg significantly lowered key blood markers of liver injury, specifically alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. The higher dose of 400 mg/kg produced therapeutic benefits comparable to silymarin, a standard reference treatment. These results demonstrate the hepatoprotective activity of the extract in an animal model, providing evidence that aligns with traditional health practices.
Liver disorders linked to toxic stress represent a widespread health challenge. Demonstrating that commonly available banana leaves possess measurable protective effects against chemical liver damage gives scientific backing to indigenous traditional remedies. This preliminary evidence points to natural sources of hepatoprotective agents that may inspire future liver health interventions.
This research represents early-stage in vivo animal testing. It could eventually inform the development of botanical liver protection supplements or therapeutic compounds derived from Musa paradisiaca. Potential future users include nutraceutical and pharmaceutical developers. However, commercial application remains distant because the specific bioactive compounds responsible for the hepatoprotective effects must first be isolated and characterised before clinical testing can occur.
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Musa paradisiaca (banana) leaves have been extensively used in traditional medicine for the treatment and management of disorders related to oxidative stress, including diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. However, there is limited scientific evidence supporting these claims. This study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of Musa paradisiaca leaf extract in albino rats with carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver damage. Fresh leaves of Musa paradisiaca were collected, shade-dried, and extracted using 60% ethanol. Thirty albino rats were randomly assigned to five groups: control, CCl₄-induced, CCl₄ + silymarin (100 mg/kg), CCl₄ + Musa paradisiaca extract (200 mg/kg), and CCl₄ + Musa paradisiaca extract (400 mg/kg). The extract was administered orally, while CCl₄ was given intraperitoneally (IP) to induce liver damage. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, and steroids. Liver function biomarkers—alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)—were analyzed spectrophotometrically. The results indicated that the Musa paradisiaca extract significantly reduced ALT, AST, and ALP levels (p ≤ 0.05) compared to the CCl₄-treated group, demonstrating its hepatoprotective effects. The 400 mg/kg dose exhibited a more pronounced effect, comparable to that of silymarin. These findings provide scientific validation for the traditional use of Musa paradisiaca leaves in managing liver disorders and conditions associated with oxidative stress. Further studies are recommended to isolate and characterize the bioactive compounds responsible for these effects.
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DOI: 10.58578/ajstea.v3i2.5132
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