Combined Anti-diabetic Effects of Extracts of Artemisia annua var. Chiknensis (CBGE/CHNA/09/LTNGS/G) and Each of Three Other Plants (Momordica charantia Linn. Vernonia amygdalina Del. and Aegle marmelos Correa) Traditionally Used in Nigeria for the Treatment of Diabetes | Chapter 11 | Advances in Applied Science and Technology Vol. 6
The combined anti-diabetic effects of
Extracts of Artemisia annua var. chiknensis with Laboratory code number
(CBGE/CHINA/09/LTNGS/G), Momordica charantia Linn, Vernonia amygdalina Del. and
Aegle marmelos Correa traditionally employed in Nigeria for the treatment of
diabetes were studied. Fifty male albino rats which had been subjected to
overnight fasting were rendered diabetic through single intraperitoneal alloxan
injections (120 mg/kg body weight). They were then divided into 5 batches of
ten rats each. The first batch was treated with A. annua leaf extract only. The
second batch was treated with a combination of A. annua and M. charantia
extracts. The third batch was treated with a combination of A. annua and V.
amygdalina extracts while the fourth batch was treated with a combination of A.
annua and Aegle marmelos extracts. The extracts were used in the ratio of 1:1
and treatment was done twice daily for a period of 30 days. The fifth batch of
diabetic rats was not treated and thus served as control. The sixth batch of
non-diabetic rats (10) was set up for comparison. Both the A. annua extract and
its various combinations with the other experimental plant extracts resulted in
insulin level enhancements and fasting blood glucose level reductions of the diabetic
rats. There were significant differences (P≤0.05) in the insulin level of
diabetic rats treated with A. annua leaf extract alone and those treated with
different combinations of the plant extracts. The mean effects of the extracts
on insulin and fasting blood glucose levels were most significant in A. annua +
M. charantia (38.65 µlU/ml and 87.55 mg/dl) and A. annua + A. marmelos (38.55
µlU/ml and 87.92 mg/dl) treatments at P≤0.05. The non-treated diabetic rats had
an average body weight of 94.90 g as compared to the original average body
weight of 100 g at the commencement of the study. The treated diabetic rats had
average body weight increments from 108.83g to 109.29 g. The non-diabetic rats
had an average body weight of 114.10 g as compared to their initial average
body weight of 100 g. The experimental plants were found to contain various
biochemical constituents which were probably responsible for the blood serum
insulin level enhancements and fasting blood glucose level reductions. The
results obtained have shown that the A. annua leaf extract and its combinations
with the other plant extracts could be employed in the management of
hyperglycemia. The results have shown how effective A. annua var. chiknensis
extract is in terms of lowering the blood glucose level or in the prevention of
hyperglycemia. The results have also revealed that such blood glucose level
reduction could be enhanced when the said extract is used in combination with
other plant extracts that have similar effects in terms of management of
hyperglycemia. It is hoped that new diabetes drugs that stem from the findings
can be developed. However, in order to minimize the risk of diabetes cases in
Nigeria, both conventional and traditional preventive measures should be
considered.
Author(s) Details
Prof. Chike I. C. Ogbonna
Applied Microbiology and
Biotechnology Research Unit, Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology,
University of Jos, Nigeria.
Dr. (Mrs) Abigail. I.
Ogbonna
Applied Microbiology and
Biotechnology Research Unit, Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology,
University of Jos, Nigeria.
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