Extract of Vernonia Amygdalina Del. (African Bitter Leaf) Can Reverse Pancreatic Cellular Lesion after Alloxan Damage in the Rat

V. amygdalina Del. is used as a traditional treatment for diabetic. In this study, administration of the leaf extract (400mg/kg b.w.) via gastric intubation to alloxanised rats for 14days reduced significantly (p<0.01) blood and serum glucose respectively by 25.91% and 41.70% relative to the diabetic control. Serum alpha-amylase activity raised significantly (p<0.01) in untreated diabetic rats decreased significantly by about 15.38% after extract treatment. Histomorphological examination of pancreatic tissues showed evidence of cellular regeneration of the hitherto destroyed beta cells. Phytochemical screening of the plant parts revealed heavy presence of polyphenols and a moderate presence of alkaloids, flavoniods, saponins, and steroids.V.amygdalina extract may mediate its antihyperglycemic action via regeneration of pancreatic beta cells. Hence a potential source for discovery of orally active agent(s) for future diabetes therapy