Stimulation of glucose uptake by Musa sp. (cv. elakki bale) flower and pseudostem extracts in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells

BACKGROUND: Glucose uptake study plays a major role in diabetes research. Impaired glucose uptake has been implicated
in the development of hyperglycemia during diabetes. Banana plant is known for its anti-diabetic properties and our earlier
report revealed that banana flower and pseudostem of Musa sp. cv. elakki bale is beneficial during diabetes in rat models.
The present study was designed to evaluate the potential effect of banana flower and pseudostem extracts on glucose
uptake in Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) cells using 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-NBDG), a
fluorescent analogue of 2-deoxyglucose.
RESULTS: Methanol and aqueous extracts of banana flower and pseudostem were more potent in promoting glucose uptake
in EAT cells, in comparison to acetone and ethanol extracts. At 20 μg dosage, highest net glucose uptake was observed in
aqueous extracts of banana flower (18.17±0.43 nmol L−1) and pseudostem (19.69±0.41 nmol L−1). Total polyphenol content
was higher in methanol (9.031 ± 0.036 g kg−1) and aqueous (6.862 ± 0.024 g kg−1) extracts of banana flower compared to
pseudostem, which were 0.442 ± 0.006 and 0.811 ± 0.011 g kg−1, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Banana flower and pseudostem extracts are able to promote glucose uptake into the cells, presumably through
glucose transporters 1 and 3,which could be beneficial in diabetes. Glucose uptake is likely promoted by phenolic acids besides
other bioactives. It can be hypothesized that consumption of nutraceutical-rich extract of banana flower and pseudostem could
replace some amount of insulin being taken for diabetes.
�c 2011 Society of Chemical Industry