Experiments with banana trunk juice as a neuromuscular blocker

The juice of the banana trunk produces a nondepolarising neuromuscular block. Oxygenation of
the extract enhances its potency. Reversal with anticholinesterase is transient. Partial reversals in isolated preparations indicate there could be both specific and non-specific binding which could account for blockade after washing. It could be specifically bound to ACh receptors in an irreversible way. Its action appears similar to that of alpha-BuTX from the venom of the banded krait. Purification of the extract and subsequent investigations will support present findings and present the characteristics fully.