Effects of the Interation of Metformin and Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter Leaf) On Steptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

The effects of Vernonia amygdalina and metformin in lowering glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were evaluated. A total of 120 Wistar albino males and females rats weighing approximately 200 g were used for the study. Diabetes was induced in the rats using 50 mg/kg of streptozotocin, and it was confirmed by checking the glucose levels of the rats. Rats with glucose level greater than 10 mmol/L were considered diabetic. The extract, metformin and a combination of the extract and metformin were given orally to different groups of diabetic rats daily for 10 weeks. Four rats were sacrificed every 2 weeks, and blood samples were collected from all the groups to estimate glucose, total protein and liver enzymes. The data obtained were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the differences between groups were established using Dunnets. The extract and metformin produced significant (P<0.05) decrease in plasma glucose concentrations in the diabetic rats. There was also a reduction in the plasma glucose of the rats that received a combination of the extract and metformin. The decrease in the blood glucose concentrations of the diabetic rats following the administration of the extract suggests that it possesses hypoglycemic effects on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The presence of flavonoids, saponins and other phytochemicals in the extract must have acted to potentiate the hypoglycemic role of the extract.