| Summary, etc |
Vernonia amygdalina (VAM) has been used traditionally in the management of diabetes. This<br/>study was designed to identify the phytochemical components present in the methanol leaf<br/>extract of V. amygdalina and to investigate the effect of methanol leaf extract of V. amygdalina<br/>on plasma enzymes (AST, ALT, GGT and LDH) and total protein of streptozotocin induced<br/>diabetic rats. Phytochemical screening and GC-MS analysis were carried out. Twenty five male<br/>albino Wistar rats (137-223g) were divided into five groups of five rats each. Group 1 (control)<br/>received normal feed and water; groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 were given a single dose of 45mg/kg STZ<br/>intraperitoneally to induce diabetes. On the fourth day, group 3 was treated with metformin;<br/>group 4 and 5 were treated with 150mg/kg VAM and 300mg/kg VAM respectively for seven<br/>days. The body weights, fasting blood sugar and plasma level of total protein, AST, ALT, GGT<br/>and LDH were determined. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of carbohydrate,<br/>protein, fat and oil, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, phenol, tannin, glycoside, phytosterol,<br/>polyphenol, saponin and terpenoids and the absence of anthraquinone. The GC-MS analysis also<br/>revealed the presence of some phytochemicals majorly fatty acids and their esters; and phytol.<br/>The five most prominent compounds are; Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (16.26%), cis-13-<br/>Octadecenoic acid, methyl ester (14.08%), 9, 12-Octadecadienoic acid (11.97%), 9, 12-<br/>Octadecadienoic acid (Z, Z)-, methyl ester (11.83%) and Phytol (10.53%). V. amygdalina caused<br/>a significant decrease in fasting blood sugar of diabetic rats treated when compared to STZ<br/>45mg/kg (diabetic control) group. There was significant difference in the Total protein and ALT<br/>level of all diabetic treated groups when compared to control rats (p 0.05). There was<br/>significant decrease in plasma AST and GGT level of diabetic rats treated with methanol extract <br/>xi<br/>of V. amygdalina (150mg/kg and 300mg/kg) and significant increase in GGT level of diabetic<br/>rats treated with metformin when compared to control (p 0.05). There was significant decrease<br/>in LDH level of diabetic rats treated with metformin and no significant difference in diabetic rats<br/>treated with methanol extract of V. amygdalina (150mg/kg and 300mg/kg) when compared to<br/>controlled rats (p 0.05). In conclusion, methanol leaf extract of V. amygdalina possess some<br/>phytochemical components which may act as anti-diabetic and hepato-protective agents in<br/>streptozotocin induced diabetic rats |
