Hypoglycemic effect of aqueous leaf extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Ficus exasperata following separate and concurrent administrations

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia due to either insufficient insulin production or insulin resistance. The increasing global prevalence of diabetes necessitates the need to explore alternative treatment options. Vernonia amygdalina and Ficus exasperata are widely used traditional herbal remedies with potential antidiabetic properties. This study aimed to assess the effects of these plants, both individually and in combination, on blood glucose levels in normoglycemic individuals following glucose-induced hyperglycemia.

Objectives: This study evaluated the glucose-lowering effects of aqueous extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Ficus exasperata, both separately and in combination, in normoglycemic individuals, comparing their efficacy to that of the standard drug, Glimepiride.

Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to four groups. Group A (n=5) served as the standard and received 2 mg of Glimepiride. Groups B (n=10), C (n=10), and D (n=10) were administered varying dosages of Vernonia amygdalina, Ficus exasperata, or a combination of both, respectively. Specifically, within each group Subgroup B1 (n=5) received 200 mg/kg of V. amygdalina, and Subgroup B2 (n=5) received 400 mg/kg. Subgroup C1 (n=5) received 200 mg/kg of F. exasperata, while Subgroup C2 (n=5) received 400 mg/kg. Subgroups D1 and D2 were given a combination of both extracts at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, respectively. Blood glucose levels were measured at baseline, 30 minutes post-glucose ingestion (0.5 hour), and 1, 2, and 4 hours post-treatment. Data were analyzed using repeated one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons to assess the statistical significance of the glucose-lowering effects.

Results: Vernonia amygdalina at 200 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) reduced blood glucose levels at 2 hours and 4 hours post-treatment. The 400 mg/kg dose exhibited a more potent and sustained effect, with significant reductions at all time points. Ficus exasperata at both 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg also showed significant hypoglycemic effects, with the 400 mg/kg concentration being more effective. The combination of both extracts produced moderate to strong hypoglycemic effects, particularly at the 400 mg/kg dose, with significant (p<0.05) reductions observed at all time points. Glimepiride consistently resulted in significant (p<0.05) glucose reductions at all intervals, outperforming the herbal extracts.

Conclusion: Both Vernonia amygdalina and Ficus exasperata, individually and in combination, exhibit potent glucose-lowering effects. Their efficacy, especially at higher doses, is comparable to Glimepiride, suggesting their potential as alternative or complementary treatments for managing blood glucose levels in diabetes.