Comparative Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Seed Extract of Irvingia gabonensis in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

With the increasing prevalence of diabetes and the side effects associated with chemical medications, exploring non-pharmacological treatments is of significant interest. Vernonia amygdalina and Irvingia gabonensis are among the widely used medicinal herbs. This study compares the effects of aqueous leaf extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and seed extract of Irvingia gabonensis on selected biochemical parameters in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg). The rats were randomly allocated into six groups: Group 1: Normal control, Group 2: Diabetic control, Group 3: Diabetic rats treated with Vernonia amygdalina (80 mg/kg), Group 4: Diabetic rats treated with Irvingia gabonensis (200 mg/kg), and Group 5: Diabetic rats treated with glibenclamide (5 mg/kg). The extracts were administered orally for 28 days. Treatment with both extracts significantly reduced blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels in diabetic rats compared to the diabetic control group (P < 0.001). Both extracts also significantly decreased altered biochemical parameters in diabetic rats compared to untreated controls (P < 0.05). Vernonia amygdalina significantly decreased elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) compared to the untreated diabetic group (P < 0.05). Irvingia gabonensis supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in liver enzymes, except ALP, compared to the diabetic control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, both extracts demonstrated hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects, as evidenced by the reduction in liver enzyme levels and improvement in kidney function markers. In conclusion, the aqueous leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina and seed extract of Irvingia gabonensis exhibited beneficial effects on selected biochemical parameters in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Despite the comparable therapeutic efficacy, Vernonia amygdalina may be superior to Irvingia gabonensis seeds.