Effect of Processing Unripe Plantain (Musa paradisiaca) Extracts on Some Biochemical Parameters in Alloxan-Induced Wistar Rats

Unripe plantain is used for management of diabetes mellitus in Nigeria, the possible effect of its methods of processing on some biochemical parameters has not been investigated. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of methods of processing unripe plantain on blood glucose, Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL, LDL, serum Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Phosphatase (ALP), total protein, albumin, creatinine, uric acid and urea levels in alloxan-induced diabetic rat models. Twenty male albino Wistar rats were used and were divided into 5 groups of 4 rats each. Group 1 (normal control) received standard rat feeds; group 2 (diabetic control) received standard rat feeds; groups 3,4 and 5 received boiled, roasted and dried unripe plantain pellets respectively. In the result, a significant (P<0.05) reduced blood glucose levels were seen for those experimental animals given dried, boiled and roasted extracts respectively. Triacylglycerol levels were significantly decreased (p<0.05) for those diabetic rats administered dried, boiled and roasted extracts respectively. The Total cholesterol levels were significantly decreased (p<0.05) for those administered dried, roasted and boiled extracts respectively. The LDL-cholesterol levels were also significantly decreased (p<0.05) for those treated with dried, roasted and boiled extracts respectively. The HDL-cholesterol were significantly increased for the diabetic administered dried extract, roasted extract and a significant decrease for those administered boiled extract. There were significant increase (p<0.05) in the levels of serum ALT, AST and ALP in the diabetic control group compared to the normal control are observed. On administration of unripe plantain, the values of these enzymes significantly decreased (p<0.05). The boiled extract showed a greater decrease in the level of ALT and ALP whereas the dried extract showed a greater decrease in the level of AST. There were also increase in the level of urea and uric acid in the diabetic control compared to the normal control group is observed. However the dried extract showed a greater decrease in the levels of both urea and uric acid. The creatinine level is seen to increase in the diabetic control group when compared to the normal control group and showed greater increase on administration of unripe plantain, for the group fed with roasted extract having the highest level of creatinine.