EFFECT OF ETHANOL EXTRACT FROM RAVENALA MADAGASCARIENSIS ON BIO- CHEMICAL AND MORPHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN WISTAR RATS

The traveler's tree, Ravenala madagascariensis Sonn., is widely used in traditional medicine, but there is little evidence of its effect on biochemical and morpho-physiological variables in experimental animals. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of the oral administration of the ethanolic extract of R. madagascariensis leaves on biochemical and morpho-physiological parameters in healthy Wistar rats. The extract was obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction. Two experimental groups of three Wistar rats each were randomly formed: Control Group=treatment with water (vehicle); Treated Group=dry ethanolic extract of R. madagascariensis (400 mg / kg body weight) dissolved in water. The extract was administered daily in drinking water for three days and individually for each animal. Parameters such as weight, glycemia, food consumption, excreted urine, urinary parameters, blood pressure, blood volume in the tail, blood flow, body temperature and heart rate were determined. An analysis of behavior and clinical signs was carried out. Each organ was externally exami-ned. The administration of the extract significantly increased urine excretion and did not modify the rest of the determined parameters. It constitutes the first contribution in Cuba to support the therapeutic use of R. madagascariensis on a scientific basis.