An investigation of the phytochemical richness of fresh Musa paradisiaca L. (plantain) stem juice and its anticonvulsant potential on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-challenged rats

Abstract

This study was aimed at determining the therapeutic value of fresh Musa paradisiaca L. (MP) stem juice as a potential treatment for epileptic convulsions using a pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure model in rats. Six groups of albino rats (n = 4) were involved in the study. Group I was treated with normal saline (p.o), while group II was untreated and group III received diazepam (4 mg/kg, p.o). Group IV, V and VI received 50, 75 and 100% v/v oral dose of MP stem juice, respectively). The treatment lasted for 10 days, followed by PTZ (85 mg/kg b.w, i.p) administration 60 min later. Lethality test and phytochemical screening were conducted. The rats were closely watched and meticulously monitored for seizure manifestations/episodes with the aid of a stop watch. From the results, the MP stem juice up to 100% (v/v) was safe in mice and numerous bioactive compounds were found with phenols being the most abundant (9.46 ± 0.03 mg/g), followed by alkaloids (5.54 ± 0.98 mg/g) and flavonoids (4.27 ± 1.23 mg/g). For the seizure manifestation, three intermittent seizures (episodes 1, 2 and 3) were observed and the stem juice (75 and 100% v/v) significantly (p < 0.05) increased the latency periods of episode 1 tonic and clonic seizures. The stem juice at 50% (v/v) delayed the onset of episode 2 seizures for over 10 minutes more than the untreated group. The groups that received 75 and 100% (v/v) of the stem juice did not experience seizures during the episode 2 as seen in episode 1. The standard and the test groups did not experience seizure during the episode 3. The findings of this study have demonstrated that the fresh MP stem juice could prevent convulsions by increasing the latencies and decreasing relatively the durations of seizures in PTZ-challenged rats. This study, however, provides the pharmacological evidence for the folk claim behind the use of Musa paradisiaca stem juice to manage epileptic convulsions or seizure disorders.