Leaves extracts of Gongronema Latifolium and Ocimum Gratissimum offer synergy on organ weights alleviation and pancreatic resurgence against Streptozotocin diabetic rats

Abstract

This study unveiled the pancreatic regenerative capacity and organs weight alleviation of combined leaves extracts of Gongronema latifolium (GL) and Ocimum gratissimum (OG) against streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Thirty-six male albino rats were divided into 6 groups of 6 rats each. Groups A and F received placebo treatment and served as diabetic and normal controls respectively, B, C and D respectively received 200mg/kg b.w GL and OG and 100mg/kg b.w. each of combined GLOG. and E received 5 IU/kg b.w insulin (subcutaneously). During 28 days of treatment, daily changes in blood glucose were measured. After this period, animals were sacrificed and organs viz:  liver, pancreas, kidney and heart collected and weighed. Serum was collected for alpha-amylase analysis. From the results, the extracts significantly (p<0.05) attenuated STZ elevation in percentage blood glucose concentrations by decreasing their levels. There was significant (P<0.05) increase in relative organ weights of diabetic control rats compared to normal control and treated rats. The combined extracts treated animals exhibited significant (P<0.05) decrease in relative organ weights as compared to single extracts treated groups. The activity of serum alpha amylase decreased (380.08±0.34) significantly in diabetic control when compared to normal control and all treatment groups. In combined extracts treated rats, its activity decreased (438.44±0.47) significantly (p<0.05) when compared to single extracts treated rats, hence displaying synergy. The histology of pancreas of extract treated animals reversed the pancreatic lesions observed in diabetic control rats. Comparatively, the combined extracts displayed a significant synergistic pancreatic resuscitating effect than single extracts.