Anti-Inflammatory Activity of the Peel Extract of Ambon Bananas (Musa Paradisiaca L.) Examined With the Human Red Blood Cell Membrane Stabilization Method

Abstract

Inflammation is the body’s reaction to the presence of infection, irritation or foreign substances as part of the body’s defense mechanisms. Public interest in treatment with natural medicines is increasing. One of the medicinal plants that can be used for anti-inflammatory treatment is the peel of the Ambon banana (Musa paradisiaca L.). This study employed the red blood cell membrane stabilization method which is widely used in research as a biochemical parameter for in vitro testing of anti-inflammatory activity. This was an experimental study that aimed to determine the anti-inflammatory activity of the peel extract of the Ambon banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) using the red blood cell membrane stabilization method. The percentage level of hemolysis that occurred when the extract was added indicated that the tested extract had anti-inflammatory properties. The stability of the red blood cell membrane of the peel extract with a concentration of 125 ppm was 1.09%, and was 12.40% with a concentration of 250 ppm, 17.36% with a concentration of 500 ppm, and 42.79% with a concentration of 1000 ppm. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the peel of the Ambon banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) has potential as an anti-inflammatory agent.
 Keywords: anti-inflammatory, banana peel, red blood cell membrane