Flavanoid rich ethyl acetate fraction of Musa paradisiaca inflorescence down-regulates the streptozotocin induced oxidative stress, hyperglycaemia and mRNA levels of selected inflammatory genes in rats

Musa paradisiaca inflorescence is a commonly used vegetable. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant; hypoglycaemic and anti-inflammatory activities of flavanoid rich fraction of M. paradisiaca inflorescence (MPIF) in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes mellitus. Diabetic rats were treated with MPIF (200 mg/kg body weight/day) for 60 days. Diabetic rats showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in blood glucose, HbA1C and lipid peroxidation products (LPO) and reduction in the activities of antioxidant enzymes in liver. The activities of inflammatory markers COX-2 and 5-LOX in monocytes and mRNA expressions of NF-κB, TGF-β1, TNF-α and IL-6 in liver were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in diabetic group. In addition, the histopathological analysis of liver showed that severe steatosis and inflammation in diabetic group. But all these parameters were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced to near normal level and restored the histopathological alterations in MPIF treated group. In addition, HPLC and ESI-MS analysis of MPIF revealed that the presence of gallic acid (4.49 g%), quercetin (1.13 g%) and epicatechin. This indicates that the supplementation of MPIF may be beneficial as food supplement for the prevention or attenuation of diabetic complications.