Evaluation of In vitro Anti-Diabetic Properties of Biosynthesized Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles from Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter Leaf) Aqueous Leaf Extract

Abstract

Introduction: Vernonia amygdalina is a common shrub that is widely used and extracts from them have been traditionally used as remedies for treating diabetes mellitus in various parts of the world. The use of V. amygdalina to synthesize MgO nanoparticles has been used for various biomedical applications and it is compatible with anti-diabetic studies. This research investigates the in vitro anti-diabetic potentials of biosynthesized from aqueous V. amygdalina leaf extract. Methodology: Aqueous extract of V. amygdalina-MgO nanoparticles were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared, X-ray Diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy techniques. FTIR validated the presence of functional groups, the crystallization and size (66nm) of the nanoparticles was validated by XRD while SEM confirmed the shape of the nanoparticles synthesized. Result:  Qualitative screening confirmed the presence of saponin, flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids, glycosides while their concentrations were evaluated quantitatively. V. Amygdalina-MgONPs extract and acarbose showed significant inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, with IC50 values of 55.05% and 20.0% respectively. Conclusion: The study found that biosynthesized MgONPs-V. amygdalina aqueous extract has strong anti-diabetic properties, indicating its potential for diabetes treatment and management.