10th U6+ Consortium of African Universities International Conference

Diabetes mellitus remains a major global public health challenge, affecting 589 million globally and 23.6 million adults in Africa, with Nigeria’s prevalence rising from 5.77% to 7.0%. Limitations of conventional therapies have increased interest in affordable plant-based alternatives such as Vernonia amygdalina and Hibiscus sabdariffa, both recognized for hypoglycemic properties; however, there is limited local evidence in the study area. This study evaluated the anti-diabetic activities of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) leaf extract and Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) calyx extract on blood glucose levels, body weight, and liver enzyme parameters in alloxan-induced Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced intraperitoneally using alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg). Sixty rats were randomly assigned to twelve groups: normal saline control, diabetic control, three graded doses (500, 1000, 2000 mg/kg) of VA (ACHRI/H16/106), HS (ACHRI/H16/104), and a metformin group (200 mg/kg) for each plant. Treatments were administered orally for 21 days. Blood glucose level was measured at 0, 6, 12, and 24 hours weekly and analyzed using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA with a Bonferroni post hoc test; body weight was also recorded weekly. Liver enzymes were assessed at the end of the study and analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Dunnett’s post-hoc test. Both extracts demonstrated dose- and time-dependent hypoglycaemic effects. By Week 3, 1000 mg/kg VA and HS reduced blood glucose by 35.89% and 50.13%, respectively, compared with 56.56% for metformin. Both extracts improved body weight and demonstrated hepatoprotective effects, although VA at 2000 mg/kg was associated with elevated liver enzyme levels. Additionally, both extract-treated groups showed significant increases in body weight compared with diabetic controls. This study validates the hypoglycemic properties of both plants, alongside improvements in body weight. Both extracts showed hepatoprotective potential, although high-dose VA (2000 mg/kg) may induce hepatic stress.