African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12498

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Vinca major L. on biochemical parameters and glucose level of alloxan induced diabetic rats

Monago-Ighorodje Comfort
  • Monago-Ighorodje Comfort
  • Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Duru Majesty
  • Duru Majesty
  • Department of Chemical Sciences (Biochemistry Unit), College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Rhema University, Aba, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Adindu Eze
  • Adindu Eze
  • Department of Biochemistry, College of Basic and Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Nwauche Kelechi
  • Nwauche Kelechi
  • Department of Chemical Sciences (Biochemistry Unit), College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Rhema University, Aba, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Ezekwe Ahamefula
  • Ezekwe Ahamefula
  • Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Nosiri Ijeoma
  • Nosiri Ijeoma
  • Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Physical and Biological Sciences, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Odika Prince
  • Odika Prince
  • Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Onyeabo Chimaraoke
  • Onyeabo Chimaraoke
  • Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Ogar Ishade
  • Ogar Ishade
  • Department of Physiology, College of Basic and Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Berezi Ebitimi Peter
  • Berezi Ebitimi Peter
  • Department of Chemistry, Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education, Sagbgama, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Ugoh Austin Ikenna
  • Ugoh Austin Ikenna
  • Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Eboagwu Ijeoma
  • Eboagwu Ijeoma
  • Department of Food Technology, Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Nigeria.
  • Google Scholar
Otta Emmanuel
  • Otta Emmanuel
  • Department of Chemical Sciences (Biochemistry Unit), College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Rhema University, Aba, Nigeria
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 26 June 2019
  •  Accepted: 28 August 2019
  •  Published: 31 December 2019

Abstract

In view of World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation on the use of medicinal plants for the management of diabetes mellitus, this study evaluated the effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Vinca major L. on biochemical parameters and glucose level of alloxan induced diabetic rats as objective. Sixty-four male Wistar albino rats were induced with diabetes by a single intraperitoneal injection and were separated into four groups (1-4) of sixteen rats each. Group 1 served as the control while groups 2 to 4 served as the test groups. Apart from the control, the test groups were treated with different concentrations of the leaf extract, and four rats from each group were sacrificed every seven days for assessment. The treatment period lasted for 28 days. Haemoglobin (Hb) levels in groups 3 and 4 rats significantly increased (p<0.05) against the control throughout the number of days of the study. Red blood cell (RBC) levels in groups 2 and 4 increased significantly (p<0.05) against the control on the 14th day, while all the test group rats had significantly increased (p<0.05) RBC levels on the 21st and 28th days of the study. The observed trend followed by electrolyte ions, urea and creatinine in test rats against the control in the present study, may be attributed to V. major leaf extract trying to salvage the excretory organs of alloxan battered diabetic rats. Glucose level, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) liver enzymes reduced significantly (p<0.05) in test rats against the control. Diabetic rats treated with V. major leaf extract in this study, showed significant improvements on those associate problems of diabetes which include anaemia, dyslipidaemia, and hepatic necrosis and inflammation. Rats treated with the leaf extract also showed reduced glucose level (Hypoglycemia).  From the observations of this study, extract from leaf of V. major may be effective against diabetes and some of its associate problems.

 

Key words: diabetes, biochemical parameters, Vinca major, leaf extract, Wistar rats.