EFFECT OF BANANA (MUSASP. CULTIVAR ELAKKI BALE) FLOWER AND STEM ON ENZYME ACTIVITIES OF INTESTINAL AND RENAL DISACCHARIDASES IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Abstract

ABSTRACT The effect of banana (Musa sp. cultivar elakki bale) flower and stem on activities of intestinal and renal disaccharidases was studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by determining the specific activities of intestinal and renal disaccharidases, viz., sucrase, maltase and lactase, which was then correlated to the amount of glucose released from sucrose, maltose and lactose, respectively. The study involved a comparison between starch-fed diabetic (SFD), banana flower-fed diabetic (FFD), banana stem-fed diabetic (TFD) and aminoguanidine-fed diabetic (AFD) groups. Significant decrease in urine sugar, urine volume and fasting blood sugar were seen in the FFD, TFD and AFD groups when compared with the SFD group. In case of intestinal maltase activities, the FFD, TFD and AFD groups showed 59%, 54% and 77% amelioration, respectively, in comparison with the SFD group. Similarly, intestinal lactase activities were high in the SFD group and were augmented in the FFD, TFD and AFD groups to about 54%, 57% and 86%, respectively, in comparison with the SFD group. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Structural and functional changes take place in the alimentary tract during diabetes, resulting in increased activities of intestinal disaccharidases. This, in turn, increases the blood glucose levels, leading to various complications such as diabetic nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy. Hence, controlling disaccharidases activities, viz., sucrase, maltase and lactase, becomes an important criterion in the management of diabetes. The results indicated the beneficial role of banana flower and stem on diabetic state as studied by the levels of urine volume, urine sugar and fasting blood sugar (FBS). The work illustrates the positive influence of feeding banana flower and stem on activities of intestinal and renal disaccharidases in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. By this, we can hypothesize that consuming banana flower and stem along with regular diet will be helpful in the management of diabetic complications by making diabetic people more tolerant to hyperglycemia.