Effects of <i>Kepok</i> Banana Flour on Glucose Level and Physical Performance in Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus prevalence has rapidly increased globally. Food contains high resistant starch (RS) may be used as a functional food to prevent and control diabetes mellitus. Resistant starch is high in raw bananas and its products such as flour. The study aimed to evaluate effects of Kepok banana flour on blood glucose and physical performance, especially body weight and feed intake in type 2 diabetic rats induced by nicotinamide (NA) and streptozotocin (STZ). Eight-week-old male Wistar rats weighed 150-200 g were randomly divided into nondiabetic and diabetic groups. Nondiabetic group (n=7 rats) was normal control (NC) and fed with standard diet AIN-93M (American Institute of Nutrition Rodent Diets 1993 for adult maintenance), while diabetic groups (n=7 rats each group) consisted of diabetic control (DC) which fed with standard diet and 3 diabetic treatment groups (T1-T3) which fed with AIN-93M containing kepok banana flour with 4%, 8% and 12% of RS respectively for 14 days. After 14 days, mean fasting blood glucose in group T1, T2 and T3 have lower blood glucose than DC significantly (p<0.05) with the highest decrease of blood glucose was on group T3. Mean of body weight in group T1, T2, T3, and NC gained significantly compared to DC group (p<0.05). Feed intake in group T1, T2, T3, and NC were less than DC significantly (p<0.05). Administration of kepok banana flour with 4%, 8% and 12% of RS is able to decrease glucose level, to restore body weight loss and to reduce feed intake in STZ-NA induced type 2 diabetic rats. Kepok banana flour can be proposed as an alternative diet in the management of type 2 diabetes.