EFFECTS OF THE ETHANOLIC LEAVES EXTRACT OF Vernonia amygdalina ON THE LIVER AND KIDNEYS OF ALLOXAN INDUCED DIABETIC ALBINO RATS

The study was conducted to determine the effects of the ethanolic leaves extract of Vernonia amygdalina on the kidney and liver of diabetic rats. Healthy albino rats weighing between 100 g and 120 g were used. The rats were divided into six groups each containing five rats respectively. Four of the groups (B, C, D and E) were induced with diabetes by the administration of alloxan monohydrate at a concentration of 150 mg/kg through intraperitonial injection. The fasting blood glucose of the rats was measured before and after the induction of diabetes using glucose meter after which the rats in groups (C,D and E) were treated using ethanolic leaves extract of Vernonia amygdalina at different concentrations (200,400 and 600 mg/kg) respectively according to group daily. Also the extract control group (F) which was not induced with diabetes mellitus was treated with the extract at a concentration of 400 mg/kg whereas the other groups (A and B) were not given the extract and they served as the normal and diabetic control providing baseline data. The experiment lasted for two weeks after which the animals were sacrificed by surgical dislocation of the neck. The serum obtained was used for the analysis of the indices of liver and kidney functions. All the groups treated with the extract showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the parameters of liver and kidney functions when compared to the diabetic control group. Also the extract control group showed no significant increase (P>0.05) in the parameters of liver and kidney functions when compared to the normal control group. The treatment given at 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg significantly decrease (P>0.05) the amount of the increase in the indices of liver and kidney functions of the diabetic rats respectively with the treatment given at 600 mg/kg being the most effective. Therefore it was concluded that the ethanolic leaves extract of Vernonia amygdalina may be effective for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.