Combined effects of aqueous extracts of <i>Tetracarpidium Conophorum</i> (Walnuts) and <i>Vernonia Amygdalina (Bitter leaves)</i> on the pancreas and kidney of alloxan induced diabetic wistar rats

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of combined treatment of aqueous extracts of Tetracarpidium conophorum (TCE) nuts and Vernonia amygdalina (VAE) leaves on some biochemical parameters such as amylase activity, urea and creatinine in alloxan induced diabetic Wistar rats. Forty two (42) Wistar rats with weight range of 125- 275g were grouped into 6 groups of 7 rats in each group. The first group served as the normal control while the remaining five groups were induced with diabetes using alloxan at 120 mg/kg body weight. Group two served as diabetic control and the remaining groups were treated with 500 mg/kg TCE, 500 mg/kg VAE, combined extract of 500 mg/kg TCE and 500 mg/kg VAE and 7.69 mg/kg metformin respectively. The rats were treated orally once daily for 28 days. Three rats per group were sacrificed on the 14^th and 28^th day of treatment. The plasma levels of glucose, amylase, urea and creatinine were measured. The result showed that there was a reduction (p<0.05) in the blood glucose level of all the treated groups compared to the diabetic control. The results also showed that urea and creatinine were (p<0.05) decreased in all treated groups compared to the untreated diabetic group. The histology of the pancreas of treated groups showed that the plant extracts ameliorated the effect of alloxan on the organ. In conclusion, the combined aqueous extracts of Tetracarpidium conophorum nuts and Vernonia amygdalina leaves reduced the level of damage to the kidney and pancreas when administered to diabetic rats at the dosage used in this study.

Keywords: Creatinine, Diabetes, Kidney, Pancreas, Tetracarpidium conphorum, Urea, Vernonia amygdalina