Antihyperglycaemic and Hepatorenal Protective Effects of Combined Aqueous Extracts of Piper guineense and Vernonia amygdalina in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rat model

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with hepatic and renal complications due to persistent hyperglycemia and oxidative stress. Given limitations of conventional drugs, plant-based therapies are being explored. This study evaluated the hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of mixed aqueous extracts of Piper guineense and Vernonia amygdalina inalloxan-induced diabetic rats.Materials and Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were randomized into five groups (n=6): Normal control, Diabetic control, Positive control [metformin 150 mg/kg], and two treatment groups receiving 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of 1:1 mixed extract orally for 28 days. Fasting blood glucose [FBG] and body weight were measured at days 0, 14, and 28. Serum liver and kidney function markers were analyzed, and liver/kidney tissues were processed for histology. Data were analyzed using One-way ANOVA in GraphPad Prism 10.2.Results: Diabetic controls had elevated FBG, reduced %BWD, and deranged liver and kidney markers. Treatment with the extract significantly reduced final FBG [P=0.002] and increased %BWD in a dosedependent manner. Liver enzymes [AST][ALT][ALP][GGT] were significantly lowered [P=0.002] while total protein and albumin were restored [P=0.033]. BUN and creatinine were significantly reduced[P=0.002] and electrolyte imbalance corrected [P=0.033]. Histology showed preserved hepatic and renal architecture at 400 mg/kg, comparable to metformin.Conclusion: Mixed aqueous extracts of P. guineense and V. amygdalina exhibited significant hepatorenal protective effects in diabetic rats, supporting their ethnomedicinal use and potential as adjunct therapy for diabetes-related organ damage.