GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY- MASS SPECTROMETRY ANALYSIS AND EFFECT OF METHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF VERNONIA AMYGDALINA ON PLASMA ENZYMES IN STREPTOZOTOCININDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Abstract

Vernonia amygdalina (VAM) has been used traditionally in the management of diabetes. This study was designed to identify the phytochemical components present in the methanol leaf extract of V. amygdalina and to investigate the effect of methanol leaf extract of V. amygdalina on plasma enzymes (AST, ALT, GGT and LDH) and total protein of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Phytochemical screening and GC-MS analysis were carried out. Twenty five male albino Wistar rats (137-223g) were divided into five groups of five rats each. Group 1 (control) received normal feed and water; groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 were given a single dose of 45mg/kg STZ intraperitoneally to induce diabetes. On the fourth day, group 3 was treated with metformin; group 4 and 5 were treated with 150mg/kg VAM and 300mg/kg VAM respectively for seven days. The body weights, fasting blood sugar and plasma level of total protein, AST, ALT, GGT and LDH were determined. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of carbohydrate, protein, fat and oil, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, phenol, tannin, glycoside, phytosterol, polyphenol, saponin and terpenoids and the absence of anthraquinone. The GC-MS analysis also revealed the presence of some phytochemicals majorly fatty acids and their esters; and phytol. The five most prominent compounds are; Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (16.26%), cis-13- Octadecenoic acid, methyl ester (14.08%), 9, 12-Octadecadienoic acid (11.97%), 9, 12- Octadecadienoic acid (Z, Z)-, methyl ester (11.83%) and Phytol (10.53%). V. amygdalina caused a significant decrease in fasting blood sugar of diabetic rats treated when compared to STZ 45mg/kg (diabetic control) group. There was significant difference in the Total protein and ALT level of all diabetic treated groups when compared to control rats (p 0.05). There was significant decrease in plasma AST and GGT level of diabetic rats treated with methanol extract