Anti-diabetic potential of methanol and ethyl acetate fractions of Gongronema latifolium and Telfairia occidentalis on streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats

Ndifreke Enobong Ntuenibok; Grace Sylvester Effiong; Nse Udoka Ebe; Utibe Evans Bassey; Unwana Daniel Udo; Grace Emmanuel Essien

doi:10.5455/JPPR.20250808092728

Abstract
Aim: The study investigated the anti-diabetic potential of methanol and ethylacetate fractions of Gongronema latifolium (G.l) and Telfairia occidentalis (T.o) leaf in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Fifty-four male rats were divided into nine groups of 6 rats each. Groups II – IX were induced with diabetes through intra-peritoneal administration of 60 mg/kg bw streptozotocin. Groups I and II served as normal and diabetic control (DC) respectively. Group III, IV and V received 10 IU/kg insulin, methanol and ethylacetate fractions of G.l respectively. Groups VI and VII received methanol and ethylacetate fractions of T.o, respectively, whereas Groups VIII and IX received combined methanol and ethylacetate fractions of G.l and T.o respectively. Fractions were administered at 500 mg/kg bw for 28 days. Glucose, insulin, glucagon concentrations, alpha-amylase, lipase and hexokinase activities were assayed in serum. Results: Streptozotocin induced hyperglycemia (335.33 ± 0.88) accompanied with significantly decreased insulin concentration (1.90 ± 0.11) and increased lipase (193.17 ± 5.89) and glucagon levels (183.29 ± 12.53) coupled with decreased alpha-amylase (38.97 ± 1.40) and hexokinase activities (1.78 ± 0.09) when compared to NC. There was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in blood glucose, lipase and glucagon levels, whereas insulin concentration, alpha-amylase and hexokinase activities increased significantly in all the fraction treated groups when compared to the DC. Histology of the pancreas revealed degenerated islet and acinar cells in the DC, while near normal cyto-architecture was observed in fractions treated groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that Gongronema latifolium and Telfairia occidentalis leaves fractions possess and exerts their antidiabetic activities through regeneration of damaged pancreatic cells and increased production of insulin.

Key words: Diabetes mellitus, Gongronema latifolium, Telfairia occidentalis, insulin, glucagon.