Utilization of Banana Peel as Pectin Source for Antidiarrheal Drug in Castor Oil-Induced Wistar Rats

ABSTRACT Banana peel has been known to contain high concentration of pectin. Pectin has been used as antidiarrheal drugs to absorb irritants and increase stool consistency. However, the utilization of banana peel extract to increase stool consistency has not been studied yet. The objective of this study is to analyse the increase in stool consistency of rats with diarrhea which are given banana peel extract (BPE).The method of this study wasexperimental research with post-test only control group design. The samples (n=30 male wistar rats) were given castor oil to induce diarrhea, then randomized into 5 groups. Positive control group (Group I) was given attapulgite at 124 mg/kg, negative control group (Group II) was given 0,5 ml of 1% Tween 80 which acted as vehicle. Group III, IV, and V were given banana peel extract (BPE) at different doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg respectively. The stool consistency was observed every hour for 4 hours by weighing fresh and dry stool weight then the water content was calculated. Data analysis were conducted using One-way ANOVA and LSD post hoc test.There were significant differences in stool consistency between Group III, IV, and V to Group II ( p <0,05), between groups Group III and IV to Group I ( p <0,05), and no significant differences between group V to Group I ( p =0,149).In conclusion, banana peel extract which contains pectin can increase the stool consistency of rats with diarrhea. Banana peel extract at the dose of 400 mg/kg has the potency which is close to attapulgite as standard drug.