Abstract:
The study was conducted to evaluate the nutrient and phytochemical composition of vegetable decoction from Gongronema latifilium, Luffa aegyptiaca, Cnidoscolua aconitifilius; Morinda lucida and determine their effects on blood glucose, lipids and liver enzymes of alloxan induced
diabetic male Wistar rats. Experimental design was adopted. Matured leaves of each sample were used and the samples were boiled separately in water for 10 to 12 minutes from the boiling time as done traditionally to get the leafy vegetables decoctions. Proximate, mineral, vitamin and phytochemical compositions of the samples as well as the biochemical parameters (Blood glucose, high – density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, total cholesterol and liver enzymes) of the rat treated with the leafy vegetables decoction were done using approved methods. Results of the sample determined in triplicate and rat study in five sets
were pooled and analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA),
Proximate analysis revealed moisture (98.64 – 99.61%), protein (0.07 – 0.23 mg/100ml), ash (0.10 – 0.31mg/100), fat and crude fibre (traces) then carbohydrate (0.13 – 0.82 mg/100ml). Mineral analysis revealed iron (0.37 – 0.66mg/100ml), phosphorus (2.08 – 6.69mg/100ml), potassium
(54.73 – 72.67mg/100ml), and zinc (0.5 – 0.8 mg/100ml). Result of vitamin composition showed B carotene (54.68 – 63.03mg/100ml), riboflavin (0.04 – 0.14mg/100ml), niacin (0.48 – 4.09mg/100ml), ascorbic acid (6.07 – 7.70mg/100ml). Phytochemicals present were quantified while anthrocynide, anthroquonone, terpernoid and steroid were absent. The quantification showed alkaloids (0.31 – 0.99%), saponin (0.13 – 0.75%) total phenol (5.10 – 12.60mg/100ml), glycosides (1.93 – 6.00 mg/100ml), tannin (1.00 – 2.36mg/100ml), carotenoids (306.67 – 936.67 mg/100ml) and flavonoid (0.42 – 2.44%). For each leafy vegetable decoction, the groups treated with 2ml/kg body weight recorded lowerest effects. There were percentage decreases in blood glucose level across the treated groups (46.03% – 69.64%). Lipid dyslipidemia caused by alloxan administration
was also reduced. The increases in high - density lipoprotein cholesterol in some treated groups were higher than the percentage increase of the positive control (33.68%). The highest percentage increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol was recorded in the group treated with Luffa
aegyptiaca 3ml/kg body weight (72.15%) consequently decreases were observed thus, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (29.51 – 80.88%), triglyceride (16.10 – 33.56%) and total cholesterol (11.09 – 41.93%). The liver enzyme activity in the treated groups showed an appreciable decrease across board. The photomicrograph of the treated rats showed remarkable improvement compared to the untreated group that showed severe pathology. The present study is suggestive that the nutrient and phytochemical composition of the samples caused synchronized decreases in blood glucose, dyslipidemia and liver enzyme activities with subsequent recovery of the diabetic rat models. Based on these important contributions it is recommended that the entire population especially adults should consume the leafy vegetables decoction to prevent increase blood glucose level and its attendant complications.
