Phytochemical constituents of musa x paradisiaca abb flower extracts and its galactagogue effects on lactating rats

Abstract

Banana, which is native to Southeast Asia, is considered as one of the most important contribution to the international fruit industry and being a very important source of income, employment and export earnings in some developing countries. The present research focused on the agricultural by product in which the flower of Musa x paradisiaca ABB was selected to study for its phytochemical constituents and galactagogue effects on lactating rats. Initially, varieties of musa species were screened for the presence of secondary metabolites, followed by quantitative analysis and antioxidant activities of the phytochemicals in the selected species. The potential use of the flower in the form of crude and aglycone form of aqueous extract (AFAE) were then extensively study for its effects on galactagogue, growth rate of the suckling pups, mammary glands development and nutritional quality of the milk produced. Chemical compounds that responsible to the galactagogue activities were isolated and characterized for its chemicals structure determination at the end of the study. Result of phytochemicals screening on Musa extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, saponins, tannins, flavanoids and terpenoids. DPPH free radical scavenging assay indicated potential use of the extracts as antioxidant agent. Galactagogue measurement with the crude by weight-suckle-weight method showed that the aqueous extract gave significant milk production compared to petroleum ether and ethanol extracts. Comparable amount of milk was also identified in the rats treated with AFAE (4.65± 1.67 g/pup/day) and the aqueous crude extracts (4.86 ± 2.36 g/pup/day). These values are equivalent to 28.03% and 24.87% higher of milk production in the aqueous and AFAE extracts, respectively, than the control group. AFAE and aqueous extract showed higher weight gain of pups than condensed tannin (CT) and metoclopramide within the experimental period. Pups growth rate was significantly improved for the groups treated with the aqueous and AFAE extract. Analysis on mammary gland showed that AFAE was capable to significantly increase the weight of mammary gland (31.73 ± 0.44 mg/g body weight), protein content of the gland (11.66 ± 0.44 g/100g mammary gland) and size of alveoli (124.49 – 139.91 µm) compared to CT (106.83 – 112.85 µm). Consistency of the results from observations on mammary gland and measurement of milk production in vivo confirmed the role of AFAE in promoting galactagogue activities. AFAE was also found to provide more wholesome of milk production because analysis showed it contains higher protein (34.29 ± 0.30%) and lower fat (43.71± 0.90%) than the control group. Spectroscopy data of 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, IR and MS spectra indicated that bioassay guided isolation of the AFAE afforded four types of compounds; stigmasterol, ?-sitosterol, caryophyllene and ophiobolin. In conclusion, the bioactive compounds exist in the flower were identified as the compounds responsible to the increased of milk production in lactating rats. This study provides novel information regarding phytochemical compounds from Musa x paradisiaca ABB species which influenced galactagogue activities. The benefits of this work could be extended for pharmacological use of the extract compound for mothers of inadequate milk production and/or could be exploited for commercialization for pets and livestock