ABSTRACT
The Possible Revival of atrophied islet cells of the pancreas by Vernonia amygdalina in alloxan-induced diabetic rats was evaluated. Twenty rats were divided into five groups (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) of four rats each. Group 1 rats were given only feed and distilled water (normal control) throughout the period of the experiment. Group 3, 4 and 5 rats were pretreated with 250mg/kg body weight of the extract for 7, 14 and 21 days respectively. Diabetes was induced in rats in group 2, 3, 4 and 5 with 150mg/kg of body weight of alloxan monohydrate. Group 2 rats were used as the experimental control. Fasting blood glucose of rats in all the groups were measured before and 72 hours after induction of diabetes. The rats were sacrificed after 72 hours and the pancreas was histopathologically analysed. The result showed a significantly high blood glucose level in group 2 rats indicating the diabetic state. The blood glucose level of rats in group 3 and 5 reduced significantly (p<0.05) when compared with the value of group 2 rats but not significantly different from group 1 value. Group 4 showed a significantly (p<0.05) high blood glucose level when compared with the base-line. The histopathology revealed atrophied islet of Langerhans in group 2 rats. Group 3 and 5, showed reviving islet cells and group 4 showed increased lymphoid follicles and neutrophills. The results suggest that the aqueous extract of V. amygdaliana has a protective effect against alloxan induced pancreatic damage and potential to revive damaged islet cells.