Synergistic Effect of Aqueous Extracts of Croton Zabensicus and Vernonia amygdalina Leaves as an Antihyperglycemic Agent in an Alloxan Induced Diabetic Albino Rats

Aims: This study was aimed at investigating the antihyperglycemic effect of a combined extract of Vernonia amygdalina and croton zabensicus compare with a hypoglycemic drug, glibenclamide.

Methodology: Twenty 20 experimental animals were used (albino rats); the rats were divided equally into four groups of five rats each; namely A (control), B (glibenclamide 10 mg/kg body weight), C (synergetic treatment 1000 mg/kg body weight), D (synergetic treatment 500 mg/kg of body weight). Diabetes was induced intraperitoneal using Alloxan Monohydrate to all the animals and their blood glucose rise above 200 mg/dl.

Results: It was observed that group B and group C treated with glibenclamide (10 mg/kg body weight) and synergetic aqueous extract (1000 mg/kg body weight) show significant decrease in the blood glucose level from 451.75 mg/dl to 64.50 mg/dl and 339.50 mg/dl to 182.50 mg/dl respectively compared with group D with 278.25 mg/dl to 194.75 mg/dl. However, a change was also observed in the body weight of the groups; Group A (Normal control) showed a continuous increase in the body weight, Group B, C and D were observed to have decreased in body weight from induction period, but a steady increase was observed as treatment commences.

Conclusion: Hence this combined extract can be used as antihyperglycemic; only that it is slower in remediation compared with the glibenclamide; but without side effect, as may be in the case of most standard drug.