Effect Evaluation of Banana on Improving Hyperglycemia and Hypertension in Diabetic Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Background This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of dried and milled banana (BN) against streptozocin (STZ), nicotinamide (NA), and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) in 8-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Methods First, we analyzed the resistance starch contents, anti-oxidant compositions and activity, and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects of the BN. Then the DM animal model was performed. The SHRs were randomly divided into 3 groups. The control group was fed normal chow, the DM group was injected with STZ/NA and fed HFD, and the DM/BN group was injected with STZ/NA and fed HFD having the carbohydrate content replaced with BN. Results After 4 weeks, hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia occurred; moreover, HbA1c levels were higher and glucagon-like peptide 1 concentrations were lower, but blood pressure and heart rate did not worsen in the DM group. Related glucose metabolism and vasorelaxation proteins were disrupted by DM. However, in the DM/BN group, all of the above biochemical parameters were ameliorated by improving glucose homeostasis and clearly brought about improvements in blood pressure and heart rate as well. Conclusion Together, the functional compositions of banana may help to improve DM, hypertension, and related complications.