Journal of Biochemistry International

This study aimed to ascertain the ameliorative potentials of dichloromethane extract of Musa paradisiaca bract in Wistar rats administered indomethacin. The bracts were processed and extracted using dichloromethane and the bioactive components in sample were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods. Forty five male Wistar rats (120-180g) in five groups of nine rats each were used for in-vivo analysis. A single oral dose of 40mg/kg body weight indomethacin was administered to study groups and faecal occult blood tests (FOB) of animals were carried out using immunochromatographic sandwich methods. Study groups were treated with 200mg, 150mg and 100mg/kg bodyweight of extract for three weeks. The animals were sacrificed and selected biochemical indices, hematological parameters and histopathology of kidney, stomach and liver were determined. GC-MS analyses revealed eleven bioactive compounds; fatty acids, amides and amines in the sample analysed. FOB tests were positive (+) at week 0 and week one, then negative (-) at weeks two and three in all treated groups. Significant dose-dependent increases (p≤ 0.05) in packed cell volume, hemoglobin and red blood count was observed in treated groups (38.80 ± 0.15%, 12.93 ± 0.05g/dl and 5.85 ± 0.05x10⁹/L) respectively compared to untreated control (21.70 ± 0.12%, 7.24 ± 0.04g/dl, and 3.75 ± 0.05x10⁹/L).  Serum levels of Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, Alkaline phosphatase, creatinine and urea showed a dose-dependent decrease significantly at (p≤ 0.05) in treated groups, compared to untreated control. Kidney, stomach and liver tissues in treated groups showed no cellular degeneration after three weeks of treatment, compared to control. This study revealed that the dichloromethane extract of M. paradisiaca bract showed dose-dependent ameliorative potentials and non-impairment of hepatorenal function in Wistar rats administered indomethacin.