Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Potentials of Extract of Vernonia calvoana on Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Albino Wistar Rats
I. A. Iwara *
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
G. O. Igile
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
F. E. Uboh
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
E. U. Eyong
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
P. E. Ebong
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objective: Investigations were carried out to evaluate the therapeutic potentials of extract of Vernonia calvoana as herbal medicines.
Methods: In this study, the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic potentials of extract of Vernonia calvoana was evaluated by using normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats at a dose of 400 mg/kg b.w. daily for 14 days. Fasting Blood glucose levels and body weight were monitored at 7 days intervals, and different biochemical parameters, serum glucose, serum cholesterol, serum triacylglycerol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein were also assessed in the experimental animals.
Results: It was found that extract of Vernonia calvoana showed significant hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity (P<0.01).
Conclusion: Extracts of Vernonia calvoana showed significant hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity, which provides the scientific proof for their traditional claims.
Keywords: Vernonia calvoana, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and alloxan