Dietary Management of Vitex doniana (Black Plum) Leaves in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Albino Rats

Diabetes is a major health concern and diabetes drugs have shown to produce adverse effect and therapeutically inefficacy overtime. This study investigated the effects of dietary effects of Vitex doniana leaves on fasting blood glucose levels in alloxan-induced diabetic rats; and explored dosage-response association between the concentrations of V.doniana leaves in the diet. The leaf was screened for the presence of phytochemicals using standard methodologies; alkaloids, terpernoids, flavonoids, phenol, tannins, saponins, reducing sugar, soluble sugar and non-reducing sugar, glycosides, and hydrogen cyanide, were found in the leaf. The result of the in-vivo study done for 21 days showed that there was significant difference (p < 0.05) between the blood glucose levels and body weights of rats in the treated group and the untreated group. The non-diabetic group had higher (p < 0.05) body weights than the untreated group, their blood sugar levels were lower (p < 0.05) than that of the induced untreated groups. The blood glucose levels of the induced untreated group were higher (p < 0.05) and their weights were reduced (p < 0.05) when compared with the blood sugar levels and weights of the treated groups. The blood sugar levels and weights of the rats that were treated with standard drug or V.doniana were similar (p < 0.05) to the blood sugar levels and weights of the standard group. The blood glucose levels of the rats treated with 20% V.doniana was higher (p < 0.05) than the blood glucose levels of rats treated with 40% V.doniana. The weights of the rats treated with 20% V.doniana was lower (p < 0.05) weight of rats treated with 40% V.doniana. The results suggest that V.doniana can be explored as a therapy for diabetic patients.