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

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