Abstract

Samuel Ekanem* , Vincent Bassey Eduok and Nkanga Ukpong

The comparative anti-hyperglycemic efficacy along with the impact on some biochemical parameters of alloxan-induced diabetic rats, following treatment with chlorpropamide and combined leaf extracts from Vernonia amygdalina (VA) and Azadirachta indica (AI) was evaluated in this study. Twenty four rats, 18 diabetic and 6 non-diabetic were assigned into four groups of 6 rats each, and respectively treated with one of the following combinations: saline (non-diabetic and diabetic controls), extracts of AI and VA combined (200 mg/kg b. w. in 1:1 ratio), and chlorpropamide (14.286 mg/kg b. w.), for a 21-day period. Measured blood glucose reductions relative to their initial values at the end of treatment were 71.05% and 75.83% for combined extracts and chlorpropamide respectively. Similarly the serum glucose respectively decreased by 58.74% and 59.97% relative to the diabetic control value of 264.27 ± 4.36 mg/dl. The extents of decrease of both blood and serum glucose in the combined extracts-treated group, compared well (p > 0.01) with the chlorpropamide test group. The 21-day treatment with chlorpropamide and the combined plant extracts significantly (p < 0.05) reduced serum triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations as well as aminotransferase activities to a similar extent, and the levels were both comparable to those of the normal control. Result of serum electrolytes and urea concentrations also showed comparable ameliorative effect on associated renal complications of diabetes. Therefore combined extracts of AI and VA has the potentials to replace sulfonylureas such as chlorpropamide in the management of diabetes.