Apparent Restoration of Insulin Production in Alloxan-Induced Wistar Rats Using Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter Leaf) and Brick-Red Terminalia catappa (Almond Leaf) Leaves Extract

Abstract

Diabetes is a disorder resulting from a lack of insulin to manage glucose in the blood. This work aims to find a synergy between a combination of the leaves of Vernonia amygdalina and Terminalia catappa to determine whether it will produce results comparable to exogenous insulin administration in restoring insulin production. Phytochemical screening and acute toxicity tests were conducted. Wistar rats weighing 100-150 g were used, and Type 1 diabetes was induced using Alloxan (150 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Body weight and blood glucose levels were monitored. A histopathological examination of the pancreatic tissues was also conducted. The phytochemical assay revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, and polyphenols. The acute toxicity test indicated no mortality, suggesting the LD₅₀ was above 5000 mg/kg. A significant body weight loss was observed in the Alloxan-induced diabetic rats in the first week compared to the normal control. Rats in groups administered with extracts exhibited an increase in body weight from week 2 compared to the untreated group. Daily administration of insulin and the single and combined extracts significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels compared to the diabetic untreated group. There was no significant difference between the treated groups and the normal control. Histological examination showed moderate regeneration of islet cells in rats given the combined extract, while single extracts displayed slight restoration. The study concludes that single and combined extracts can potentially restore insulin production in Alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats.