Biochemical Effects of Methanolic Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Gongronema latifolia on Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats

Aim: The study investigated effects of combined methanol extracts of Gongronema latifolium and Vernonia amygdalina on fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, oxidative stress markers and some haematological indices of alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Methodology: Twenty five (25) albino wistar rats were assigned into 5 groups of 5 rats per group. Diabetes was induced in groups 2-5 by a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate (160 mg/kg) while group 1 rats served as normal control. Upon establishment of diabetes, group 2 rats were treated with 200 mg/kg of G. latifolium extract; group 3 rats with a combination of 100 mg/kg of G. latifolium and 100 mg/kg of V. amygdalina; group 4 rats with 200 mg/kg of V. amygdalina while group 5 rats were treated with 2 mg/kg glibenclamide. All treatments were daily through the oral route for 21 days. The FBG levels of the rats were assessed at 2 h, 6 h and on days 7, 14 and 21 days post-treatment while blood for clinical chemistry [Catalase, Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Malondialdehyde (MDA)] and haematological [Red blood cell (RBC) count, packed cell volume (PCV) and Haemoglobin (Hb) concentration)] analyses were collected on day 21 post-treatment.

Results: Results showed that the FBG level of the rats treated with combined extract decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from 203.66±1.85 on day zero to 48.00±3.57 on day 21. The mean catalase activity and MDA levels of the rats that received the combined treatment (group 3 rats) were statistically comparable to that of glibenclamide-treated rats. The SOD activity, RBC count, PCV levels and Hb concentration of the rats in group 3 were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of the negative control group.

Conclusion: Treatment of diabetic rats with 100 mg/kg each of methanol extracts of G. latifolium and V. amygdalina exhibited hypoglycaemic, anti-oxidant and anti-anaemic potentials.