Restorative Impact Of Vernonia Amygdalina And Gongronema Latifolium On Endocrine Function In Diabetes
Emmanuel Okon Edet
Department of Anatomical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria
Abstract
This study investigated the therapeutic potential of combined extracts of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) and Gongronema latifolium (GL) on the pancreas, serum insulin, and reproductive hormones in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Thirty-six albino rats were randomly assigned to six groups of six rats each. Groups A (normal control) and B (diabetic control) received placebo, while groups C, D, E, and F were treated with metformin (5 mg/kg b.w.), a combined extract of VA and GL (400 mg/kg b.w.), VA alone (200 mg/kg b.w.), and GL alone (200 mg/kg b.w.), respectively, for 28 days. Post-treatment, animals were sacrificed, and blood and pancreas tissues were collected for hormonal assays and histological evaluations.
Results indicated significant improvements in body weight in both the VA (10.7%) and metformin (23.3%) groups, compared to a 10.5% reduction in the diabetic control. Similarly, blood glucose levels significantly decreased in the metformin (52.71%) and combined extract (48.93%) groups. Histological analysis revealed severe degeneration of pancreatic β-cells in diabetic control rats, while treatment with the combined extract promoted notable regeneration of these cells. This regeneration is presumed to have led to enhanced insulin secretion, correlating with the observed hypoglycemia and weight gain. Moreover, Feulgen staining showed strong DNA positivity in the extract-treated groups, suggesting reversal of DNA damage.
Serum reproductive hormone levels, which were suppressed in diabetic control rats, were significantly improved across all treatment groups. Notably, metformin did not restore the pancreatic islet architecture to the extent observed in the extract-treated groups.
Overall, the findings demonstrate that combined extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Gongronema latifolium possess potential regenerative and antidiabetic effects, along with beneficial influences on endocrine and reproductive functions in diabetic conditions