THE HYPOGLYCEMIC EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACTS OF GONGRONEMA LATIFOLUM, PIPER NIGRUM AND SOLANUM MELONGENA ON BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL OF ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC GUINEA PIGS

Akunneh -Wariso C.* and Aduema W.

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was evaluate the aqueous leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium (Utazi), Piper nigrum (Uziza) and Solanum melongena (Gardern egg) on blood sugar level of alloxan induced diabetic guinea pigs. Thirty -five guinea pigs of body weight (250-300g) of both male and female were randomly selected and grouped in to five groups. Each guinea pig was made diabetic by induction with a single dose of 5% alloxan monohydrate dissolved in 0.9% normal saline at 300mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally. Prior to administration, concentration of alloxan used for diabetic induction in these guinea pigs was determined during the preliminary test. The positive and negative control groups had oral administration of glibenclamide solution (a know oral hypoglycemic agent) at 0.25mg/day and 0.9% NS (a physiological solution) at 15ml/day via canula for two weeks respectively. The results of this study revealed appreciable percentage reduction of fasting blood sugar level of the diabetic guinea pigs that had oral administration of aqueous leaf extracts of Gongronema latifolium which was comparable to the fasting blood sugar level of positive control group (Glibernclamide solution), thereby showing an appreciable hypoglycemic effects. Similarly, the aqueous leaf extracts of Solanum melongena had a low percentage reduction which depicts mild hypoglycemic effects, while the group that had Piper nigrum showed a very insignificant percentage of reduction of mean fasting blood sugar which was comparable to the effect seen in negative control group. In conclusion, the z-test, as a statistical test revealed a significant difference between the post induction fasting blood sugar level and post aqueous leaf extract administration (p< 0.05).

Keywords: Gongronema latifolium (Utazi), Piper nigrum (Uziza) and Solanum melongena (Gardern egg).