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In-Vivo Oral and Intraperitoneal Administration of Extract from Vernonia lasiopus

Njeri L Kimani, Eliud NM Njagi and George O Orinda

Diabetes mellitus in Kenya is a major health concern as it is known to result in mobility, mortality, and long-term complications. Conventional drugs used in the management of diabetes mellitus are unavailable, expensive, and have numerous side effects. Vernonia lasiopus plant has a folkloric usage in diabetes mellitus management though its efficacy needs to be evaluated scientifically. This study therefore aimed at establishing in vivo antihyperglycemic effect of aqueous leaf extract from Vernonia lasiopus in alloxan-induced diabetic male albino mice. Eight groups of mice each group having five mice were used in the study. The plasma sugar lowering effect was monitored after intraperitoneal and oral administration of Vernonia lasiopus extract at doses of 25, 48.4, 93.5, 180.9 and 350 mg/kg body weight. The treatment effects of extracts were compared with the positive controls (insulin and glibenclamide treated for intraperitoneal and oral routes respectively). Standard procedures were used to determine the phytochemicals present in the extracts. ANOVA and post-ANOVA was used to analyze the data collected. The results of the study showed that the aqueous leaves extract at all the five doses administered demonstrated antihyperglycemic effect in a dose independent manner. The phytochemical results showed the presence of phenols, tannins, alkaloids, and flavonoids. The antidiabetic effects shown by the plant extract could be due to the phytochemicals present. Vernonia lasiopus aqueous leaves extract has antidiabetic effects and the study therefore recommends its folkloric use in management of diabetes mellitus.