Antiulcer Activity of Aqueous Peel Extract of Musa Sapientum in Albino Rats

The use of conventional antiulcer drugs is limited by their side effects and by the risk of relapse after treatment is stopped. This study investigated the antiulcer activity of the aqueous peel extract of Musa sapientum (banana) against ethanol induced gastric ulcers in albino rats. Ripe banana peels were dried, powdered, and extracted in distilled water; twenty-five Wistar albino rats of both sexes were assigned to five groups (n = 5) – normal control, ulcer (positive) control, standard control (ranitidine, 100 mg/kg), extract treated (100 mg/kg), and extract plus ethanol and treated for 14 days. Ulcer index, percentage protection, gastric free and total acidity, and pH of gastric juice were determined, and stomach tissue was examined histologically. Phytochemical screening showed that the peel extract contains phenols, flavonoids, and other secondary metabolites. The extract treated and extract plus ethanol groups showed marked reductions in ulcer index relative to the ulcer control, corresponding to 70.3% and 77.7% protection against ethanol induced ulceration respectively, and produced significant reductions (p < 0.05) in total gastric acidity, comparable to the standard drug ranitidine. Gastric juice pH was significantly higher (2.90 ± 0.21 and 3.04 ± 0.25) in the extract treated groups than in the ulcer control (1.83 ± 0.56). Histological examination confirmed reduced mucosal injury in the extract treated tissues relative to the ulcer control. These findings indicate that the aqueous peel extract of Musa sapientum protects the gastric mucosa against ethanol induced ulceration, most likely by strengthening mucosal defence and reducing gastric acidity, and support its potential as a low-cost, plant derived antiulcer agent.