ANTIDIABETIC EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF VERNONIA AMYGDALINA DEL. IN MICE

Abstract

Vernonia amygdalina leaves are mostly consumed in Asia and Africa, due to its potential as a good source of antidiabets. This study investigated the antidiabetic activity of the ethanolic leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina Del. Extract with 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg doses were given to both normoglycemic and alloxan-induced diabetic Swiss mice. Blood was withdrawn and tested at 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days. Results showed that the extract caused reduction in glycemia in both two doses. The 200 mg/kg dose caused the most significant (p<0.05) reduction in blood sugar (-50.3%) compared to insulin (-52.7%).