Investigation of Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Effects of Methanolic Extracts of Bitter Leaf [Vernonia amygdalina Delile] in Male Rats
Kazeem B. Bawa
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Osogbo, Nigeria.
Ayobola A. Iyanda *
Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Osogbo, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Different agents used for treatment of diabetes mellitus are associated with serious adverse effects. This necessitates the scientific quest for substitutes that are comparatively less noxious- usually medicinal plants (e.g. Vernonia amygdalina Delile). Diabetes was induced in rats in groups A-D using alloxan. Group E served as control. Once daily for 28 days, diabetic rats in groups B and C were treated with 50 & 100 mg/kg BW of methanolic extracts of Vernonia amygdalina respectively while group D rats were administered with metformin hydrochloride (250 mg/Kg BW). Rats in group A served as untreated diabetic group. Fasted blood samples were collected for estimation of fasting blood glucose (FBG); total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) using standard biochemical methods. Statistical analysis was carried out using Student’s t test, P<0.05 was considered significant. After treatment, there were significant decreases in levels of FBG, TC, TG, LDL-C but increase level of HDL-C of B, C, & D when compared with group A. results of the study suggest that methanolic extract of V. amygdalina possesses antidiabetic properties and anti-hypolipidemic effects; this may explain why this plant is traditionally used for the management of diabetes mellitus and its complications.
Keywords: Vernonia amygdalina, diabetes mellitus, lipid profile, blood glucose.