Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 4(5): 711-716, 2010 ISSN 1991-8178 © 2010, INSInet Publication Corresponding Author: Item Justin Atangwho, Departments of Biochemistry and Human Anatomy, College of 2 Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, P. M. B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria. 711 Extract of Vernonia Amygdalina Del. (African Bitter Leaf) Can Reverse Pancreatic Cellular Lesion after Alloxan Damage in the Rat Item Justin Atangwho, Patrick Ekong Ebong, Godwin Eneji Egbung and 1 1 1 Augustine Uchechukwu Obi 2 Departments of Biochemistry and Human Anatomy, College of Medical Sciences, University of 1 2 Calabar, P. M. B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria. Abstract: V. amygdalina Del. is used as a traditional treatment for diabetic. In this study, administration of the leaf extract (400mg/kg b.w.) via gastric intubation to alloxanised rats for 14days reduced significantly (p<0.01) blood and serum glucose respectively by 25.91% and 41.70% relative to the diabetic control. Serum alpha-amylase activity raised significantly (p<0.01) in untreated diabetic rats decreased significantly by about 15.38% after extract treatment. Histomorphological examination of pancreatic tissues showed evidence of cellular regeneration of the hitherto destroyed beta cells. Phytochemical screening of the plant parts revealed heavy presence of polyphenols and a moderate presence of alkaloids, flavoniods, saponins, and steroids.V.amygdalina extract may mediate its antihyperglycemic action via regeneration of pancreatic beta cells. Hence a potential source for discovery of orally active agent(s) for future diabetes therapy. Key Words: Vernonia amygdalina Del., beta cell regeneration, blood and serum glucose, alpha- amylase activity, phytochemical screening. INTRODUCTION The plant, Vernonia amygdalina Del. (Compositae) is widely distributed in the west coast of Africa where it grows wild and as a domestic browse plant (Farombi, 2003). It is commonly known as “bitter leaf” in Nigeria because the leaves and the stem have an astringent bitter taste. In Nigeria, it is a major vegetable of the celebrated “bitter leaf soup” and has a long history of use in folk medicine Biser, (1998) particularly among the people of sub-Saharan Africa. Among the people of Southern Nigeria, V.amygdalina has a high reputation for use in the traditional management of diabetes mellitus. In an ethno botanical survey which identified and documented 22 plants of the South Western Nigeria used by traditional healers in the management of diabetes mellitus, V.amygdalina came second only to Cassia alata as the most frequently used Abo and Adediwora, (2000). Scientific studies have also reported/confirmed it’s antihyperglycemic (Akah et al., 2004; Nimenbo-Uadia, 2003) and hypoglycemic (Gyang et al., 2004) action in diabetic and non-diabetic rats respectively. The aqueous leaf extract have been shown to posses antihyperlipidemic and hypolipidemic effect respectively on diabetic and non-diabetic rats (Atangwho et al., 2007a). Its protective role on the kidneys (Atangwho et al., 2007b) and livers (Atangwho et al., 2007c) of alloxan diabetic rats has additionally been investigated and results reported. However, the actual mode and/or mechanism through which antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic effect of the plant extract is mediated remains a mere speculation. In general, plants are known to exert their beneficial effect on diabetes via various mechanisms - manipulating carbohydrate/lipid metabolism in the liver(via key enzymes), influence on the beta-cell integrity and insulin releasing activity,aldose reductase activity and antioxidant defense system manipulation and glucose uptake and utilization Tiwari and Rao, (2002). Additionally, some plants posses phytochemicals that do not only interfere with carbohydrate digestion and absorption, but which also have insulin-like action and/or that may inhibit insulinase activity (Jelodar et al., 2005). The presence study was therefore undertaken to confirm the antidiabetic properties of V.amygdalina and to investigate at least in part, the mechanism responsible for the reported antihyperglycemic action. For the former, blood and serum glucose levels of diabetic rats after treatment with the plant extract were determined.