Hepatoprotective Effect of Banana Peel Flour on Histological and Liver Function in Diabetic Rats

Under long-term hyperglycemic conditions, metabolic abnormalities in the body can cause oxidative stress, with NAFLD being one of the complications. Banana peels are high in tryptophan, which is a precursor to serotonin in the body. Serotonin regulates body homeostasis, including blood glucose levels, and has also been linked to increased liver regeneration in rats. Based on the above, this study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of banana peel flour (BPF) on liver enzymes changes in rats. Twenty-five male Wistar rats were separated into five groups (n=5), including Group I was a healthy control group fed a standard diet, while Groups II to V were diabetic rats model groups that consumed a standard diet supplemented with BPF 0, 5, 10, and 20, respectively for four weeks. At the end of the experiment, the rats were bled and enzyme changes in ALT, AST, and Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining were analyzed with the NAFLD score to examine hepatocellular morphology. The effect of BPF intervention on serum ALT and AST levels are not dosed dependent but the effects are comparable. BPF groups intervention produced a significant (P<0.05) decrease in serum levels of ALT and AST compared to the diabetic control group. The NAFLD score with HE staining showed substantial improvements in liver morphology, which was better seen at a 20 BPF dose. The current study supported the hypothesis that BPF had a hepatoprotective effect in diabetic rats and its effect may be due to the mechanism of controlling the hepatic enzyme transaminase and inducing liver regeneration. © 2021 Universitas Gadjah Mada - Faculty of Pharmacy. All rights reserved.