The Anti-Ulcerogenic Effect of Unripe Vegetable Banana on Gastric Ulceration induced by Aspirin in the Rat

Abstract

1. The green vegetable banana was found to possess anti-ulcerogenic activity against aspirin-induced ulcers in rats. The activity was present in banana imported from India and the West Indies. 2. The activity was present in unripe banana but not present in ripe banana. The activity was lost when banana or banana extract were heated above 70°C. 3. The anti-ulcerogenic activity was due to low molecular weight polar substances extractable by water or alcohol from dried banana powder. On solvent fractionation of banana extract, the activity was purified 500 fold on a weight-for-weight basis from original banana powder. The active fraction was rich with substances that gave a positive ninhydrin reaction. 4. The anti-ulcerogenic action of banana was different from the anti-ulcerogenic activity of drugs present on the market. The anti-ulcerogenic activity of banana was due to its ability to stimulate growth of the mucosa cells. This produced protection against the effect of aspirin and also assisted the healing of ulcers already induced by aspirin. The active ingredient of banana was acting systemically to protect and heal rats from ulceration induced by aspirin. 5. An increase in mucus secretion was found in response to banana treatment. That increase in mucus secretion was a consequence of cell proliferation of the gastric mucosa. 6. The effects of banana were compared with the action of other anti-ulcerogenic agents such as prostaglandin E2, cimetidine, aluminium hydroxide, di-butyrylcyclic AMP, and 5-hydroxytryptamine. The action of banana was different from that of the above agents and is probably due to an unknown cell growth stimulating agent. 7. The present findings are discussed in relation to present theories of anti-ulcerogenic action and suggestions for further work are offered.