Efficacy of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Vernonia Amygdalina On Plasma Lipoprotein and Oxidative Status in Diabetic Rat Models. H. U. Nwanjo
Efficacy of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Vernonia Amygdalina On Plasma Lipoprotein and Oxidative Status in Diabetic Rat Models. H. U. Nwanjo
Nigerian Journal Of Physiological Sciences 20 (1-2): 39-42@ Physiological Society Of Nigeria, 2005
Available online/abstracted at http://www.biolineinternational.org.br/njps; www.ajol.info/journals.njps; www.cas.org
H. U. NWANJO
Summary: Many minor components of foods, such as secondary plant metabolites, have been shown
to posses antioxidant activities, improving the effects of oxidative stress on diabetes and other disease
conditions. This study evaluates the effect of aqueous extracts from Vernonia amygdalina leaves on
lipid profiles and oxidative stress in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The results showed that the
streptozotocin induced diabetic rats were subjected to oxidative stress as was shown by the extent of
lipid peroxidation (high malondialdehyde levels) present in the plasma. The aqueous extract of V.
amygdalina leaves possessed antioxidant activity as shown by decreases in malondialdehyde levels.
High values of LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides levels, which are typical of the diabetic condition,
were also found in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The aqueous extract also significantly reduced
triglyceride levels and normalized cholesterol concentrations. This shows that the aqueous extract of V.
amygdalina leaves have both hypolipidaemic and antioxidant properties.
Mendez et al, (1975), HDL-C by Lopez- Table I shows that there was a significant
Vitrella et al, (1975), LDL-C and VLDL- increase (p<0.05) in fasting blood glucose and
triglyceride values were calculated by a decrease (p<0.05) in body weight in
modification of the friedewald formular streptozotocin involved diabetic rats when
(Sandkapm, 1990). compared with the normal control. The body
weight slightly increased and the fasting blood
Statistical Analysis glucose significantly decreased in diabetic rats
All values were expressed as mean ± SD. when treated with aqueous leaf extract of
The statistical analysis were carried out using Vernonia amygdalina.
students’ t-test to detect differences in the In Table 2, the mean value of serum MDA
concentrations of serum MDA and lipoproteins levels (end-product of lipid peroxidation) in
between different groups. Tests with a diabetic rat significantly increased when
probability value <0.05 were considered compared with the control but significantly
statistically significant. decreased in diabetic rats treated with the
aqueous leaf extract of V. amygdalina.
Results The mean values of triglycerides and
The results of the phytochemical analysis LDL-cholesterol (p<0.05) were significantly
revealed the presence of alkaloids, higher in diabetic control rats compared to the
carbohydrates, tannins, saponins, flavonoids treated diabetic and normal rats. Total
and glycosides. Cyanogenic glycoside was cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels of
however absent. Acute toxicity test in rats gave diabetic rats treated with aqueous extract of V.
an LD50 of 1265.22± 56mg/kg. From the amygdalina leaf were not significantly
results of the toxicity studies, convenient doses different when compared with the normal
were chosen to preclude the lethal range. control rats and diabetic control rats.
Table 1: The mean values of body weight and blood glucose in both normal, diabetic
and V. amygdalina treated diabetic rats. Values are expressed as mean ± SD. (n = 6).
Body weight Mean initial Mean final Mean Fasting Blood glucose (mg/dl)
weight (g) weight (g) weight
gained (g)
Initial After 4 weeks
Normal Control 135.4±12.1 171.5±10. 36.1±2.2 84.20±2.8 90.24±3.1
Diabetic control 137.2±9.9 124.9±13.0 -12.3±2.1* 251.88±4.6 268.24±4.8
Treated diabetic 136.9±10.5 130.1±11.1 -6.8±2.23** 253.82±3.8 128.62±4.6¥
rats
* Significantly different from normal control group (p<0.05). ** Significantly different from normal
and diabetic controls (p<0.05). ¥ Significantly different from Initial Fasting Blood glucose (p<0.05).
Table 2: The mean values of lipid peroxide and vitamins E and C in both normal, diabetic and V.
amygdalina treated diabetic rats. Values are expressed as mean ± SD. (n = 6).