Obi H I et al.

/ JPBMS, 2012, 19 (01)

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Research
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JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

The Antidiabetic Activity Of Combine Aqueous Extracts Of Gongronema latifolium

(Benth) and Allium cepa.

*1Obi HI, 1Ilodigwe EE, 1Ajaghaku DE, 2Okonta JM.

1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Agulu campus, Anambra state, Nigeria.
2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Agulu Campus, Anambra state, Nigeria.
Abstract:
The antidiabetic efficacy of combined aqueous extract of Gongronema latifolium and Allium cepa a popular polyherbal
therapy in treatment of diabetes mellitus in South Eastern Nigeria was assessed. Alloxan induced diabetic rats were used
for the study. Surviving diabetic rats were divided into treatment and control groups. Treatment groups received the
combined extracts (1:1, 1:2 and 2:1) orally at three different doses (100, 200 and 400mg/kg). Control groups received
Glibenclamide (5mg/kg, oral) and normal saline. After oral administration of the combined extracts/drug, invivo
measurement of blood glucose was taken hourly for 6 hours. Thereafter, oral administration was continued for 28days and
blood glucose measurement was taken every 7 days. Single dose treatment and 28days treatment caused blood glucose
reduction over the intervals monitored with different doses and ratios of the combined extracts. Increasing dosages of 1:1
and 2:1 of combined aqueous extracts produced a dose-dependent significant (p < 0.05) reductions in the blood glucose
levels. These effects were comparable with antidiabetic effect of glibenclamide. This study showed that the combination of
Gongronema latifolium and Allium cepa as a polyherbal antidiabetic remedy expressed good actions in reducing blood
glucose when combined in the ratio of 1:1 or 2:1 than 1:2. b

Keywords: Polyherbal therapy, diabetes mellitus, alloxan, Gongronema latifolium, Allium cepa, blood glucose, positive
synergy, hypoglycemic effect.

Introduction:
Diabetes mellitus, is a heterogeneous group of disorders,
characterized by high blood glucose level. Insulin-
dependent diabetes mellitus (type I) results from an
absolute deficiency of insulin due to autoimmunological
destruction of the insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells(1). In
non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type II), muscle
and fat cells are resistant to the actions of insulin and the
compensatory mechanisms activated in the β-cells to
secrete more insulin are not sufficient to maintain blood
glucose levels within a normal physiological range(2) .
These forms of diabetes are characterized by chronic
hyperglyceamia and development of diabetic
microvascular complications such as blindness, end stage
renal diseases and a variety of debilitating neuropathies.
Also hyperglyceamia and insulin resistance seems to have
important roles in the pathogenesis of macrovascular
complications especially in accelerating atherosclerotic
macrovascular disease affecting the arteries that supply
the heart, brain and lower extremities(3, 4)
Type II diabetes accounts for 90-95% of all diabetes(5) and
aggressive control of hyperglycaemia in patients with type
II diabetes can attenuate the development of vascular
complications(6)
The aim of therapy in type II diabetes has always been to
reduce hyperglyceamia using several approches:
Sulphonylureas (increase insuline release from pancreatic
islets); Metformin (reduces hepatic glucose
production);Thiazolidines (enhance insuline actions); α-
glucosidase inhibitors (interfere with gut glucose
absorption) and Insulin (Suppresses glucose production
and augments glucose utilization).
These therapeutic approaches have limited efficacy and
tolerability; and most have tendency to cause weight gain.
Also, several of these cause hypoglycaemia and very few
address underlying defects such as obesity and insulin
resistance. Sulphonylurea use causes secondary failure or
refractoriness. Therefore, there is need for newer
therapeutic approaches. Medicinal plants play important
roles in the management of type II diabetes especially in
resource-limited countries. In Nigeria, herbal medicines
including polyherbal therapy is widely practiced. The
combination of various types of agents from different plant
sources could have synergistic, potentiative, antagonistic
pharmacological and therapeutic effects with minimum
side effects(7)
Gongronema latifolium leaf, widely used in the South
Eastern part of Nigeria possesses hypoglycemic(8),
hypotensive and hypolipidemic(9), antioxidant(10) and
antiinflammatory(11) activities. Also, Allium cepa posseses
antioxidant(12), hypoglycermic(13) and hypolipidaemic
properties(14). In the rural communities of the South East of
Nigeria, the combined aqueous leaf decoction of
Gongronema latifolium and Allium cepa in different
proportions are popular among traditional healers in the
management of type II diabetes mellitus. Despite the

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 Obi H I et al. / JPBMS, 2012, 19 (01)
popularity of this antidiabetic polyherbal remedy, no
concrete work exist that showed the best ratio of the active
polyherbal constituents for the management of type II
diabetes.
This study evaluated the antidiabetic activities of various
combination ratios of aqueous extracts of Gongronema
latifolium and Allium cepa.
Materials and methods:
Plant materials:
The taxonomist, Mr. Alfred Ozioko of Bioresource
Development and Conservation Project, Nsukka, Enugu
State, Nigeria authenticated the Leaves of Gongronema
latifolium (‘‘Utazi’’)and bulbs of Allium cepa (‘‘Onion’’)
collected from local market at Onitsha, Anambra state,
Nigeria.
Preparation of aqueous extracts:
After pulverization of the dried leaves of Gongronema
latifolium and bulbs of Allium cepa, the powdered plant
materials (500g each) were separately macerated with 2
litres of distilled water for one hour, filtered through
muslin cloth, concentrated using freeze drier to yield
constant weights of 48.9g and 38.40g respectively and
stored till further use.
Experimental animals and alloxan induction of diabetes:
The study involved the use of fifty-five healthy albino rats
of both sexes, obtained from the animal house of the
department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, Nnamdi Azikiwe
University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, housed in
standard animal house conditions maintaining cross
ventilation, standard condition of temperature (28O C),
humidity (55%), 12 hours light/dark cycle, water and
pelletized food (Guinea feed Nig. Ltd) were available to the
animals ad libitum. After overnight fasting, the animals
weighed and initial fasting blood glucose obtained from the
tail vein of the rats using glucometer before the induction
of diabetes with alloxane monohydrate (140mg/kg)
intraperitoneally. After 72 hours, the rats became diabetic
(fasting blood glucose >150mg/dl).
Acute toxicity (LD 50 ):
30 albino mice (25 g + 3 g) were divided into six groups of
5 mice per group after overnight fasting period. Mice in
groups 1-5 received oral doses of the combined aqueous
extracts of Gongronema latifolium and Allium cepa (in the
ratio of 1:1) at 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 and 6000mg/kg.
Mice in group 6 received normal saline. The median lethal
dose (LD 50 ) of the combine extract estimated using the
method of Millar and Tainter(15) followed after observing
the animals for 24 hours for obvious toxic symptoms or
mortality.
Experimental design:
Table 1: Effect of 100mg/kg of plant extracts on blood glucose level of alloxan induced diabetic rats for 6 hours.
Group 0h 1h 2h
Three groups of 15 rats each of 45 diabetic rats the
survived received three doses, 100, 200 and 400mg/kg. At
each dose, five animals received combined extracts of
Gongronema latifolium and Allium cepa in the ratios of 1:1,
1:2 and 2:1 respectively. The remaining ten diabetic rats
were further divided into groups 4 and 5 of 5 rats per
group. Group 4 received oral glibenclamide at a dose of
5mg/kg while group 5 animals were given normal saline
(oral).
After oral administration of the combined extracts/drug,
blood from the rat’s tail vein were hourly obtained for 6hrs
and blood glucose determined using glucometer (Roche,
England). Thereafter, administration of the combined
aqueous extract continued for 28days and blood glucose
measured every 7 days.
Statistical analysis: Significant difference between control
and experimental groups were obtained by student’s t-test
using SPSS version 15. All data were represented as
Mean±SEM. P values < 0.05 were considered significant.
Results:
Effects of extracts/drug on blood glucose level
Tables 1,2 and 3 show the effect of 100, 200, 400mg/kg of
the different ratios of the combined extracts at various
time intervals for 6 hours. The values in parenthesis are
percent change in blood glucose (% Bld glu):
% Bld glu = G t /G o x 100
Where G o and G t are glucose level at times 0 and t,
respectively. Seventy two hours after alloxan treatment,
blood glucose of diabetic rats were significantly raised
compared to the basal blood glucose before alloxan
treatment. Single dose treatment caused reduction over
the intervals (hourly) for the different doses and ratios of
the combined aqueous extracts of Gongronema latifolium
and Allium cepa . Significant (p<0.05) reductions of blood
glucose levels from the 1st to 6th hour were observed with
1:1 ratio at 200mg/kg (table 1) (32.29% to 69%),
400mg/kg (table 3) (28.62% to 70.99%), and from 2nd to
the 6th hour at 100mg/kg, (table 3) (41.93% to 57.45%).
The ratio of 2:1 showed significant decrease from 1st to the
6th hour (13.18 to 27.02%) at 100mg/kg (table 2) and from
the 3rd to 6th hour (36.8% to 46.21%) at 400mg/kg (table
3). Glibenclamide showed significant reduction (p<0.05)
from 1 hour to the 6th hour (36.66% to 61.13%).
At the end of the chronic treatment period (28 days), there
was significant decrease with 1:1 ratio from week 1 to
week 4 (57.07% to 66%) at 400mg/kg, from week 2 to
week 3 (50.72% to 58.26%) at 100mg/kg. The ratio 2:1
also showed significant decrease from week 2 to week 4
(57.27% to 69.7%) at 200mg/kg and from week 3 to week
4 (71.77% to 79.05%) at 100mg/kg while glibenclamide
showed significant decrease at week 4 (75.29%).
3h 4h 5h 6h

1:1 248.20±67.10 174.00±65.31 143.40±44.63* 125.0±29.10* 119.8±29.89* 112.4±22.37* 99.60±13.98*

(100) (65.31±15.58) (58.07±10.76) (52.36±13.01) (50.65±16.0) (48.26±14.73) (42.55±10.79)

1:2 161.20±9.79 140.0±10.43 134.40±8.31 128.0±9.06 118.6±10.86 122.0±10.06 117.8±11.02

(100) (86.82±2.93) (83.57±0.57) (79.54±5.64) (73.58±5.02) (75.59±1.72) (72.98±3.31)

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 Obi H I et al. / JPBMS, 2012, 19 (01)
2:1 170.60±19.64 140.0±10.43* 134.4±8.31* 128.0±9.06* 118.6±10.86* 122.0±10.06* 117.8±11.02*
(100) (86.82±2.93) (83.51±0.57) (79.54±5.64) (73.58±5.02) (75.59±1.72) (72.98±3.31)

Glibenclamide 158.80±9.04 101.00±18.62* 79.20±16.99* 71.20±15.73* 65.20±13.66* 66.80±13.26* 61.80±11.86*

(100) (63.34±9.84) (50.16±11.26) (47.02±11.75) (41.13±7.67) (42.41±7.69) (38.87±7.04)

Control 164.60±13.73 142.60±14.37 136.20±14.99 135.20±14.40 131.40±19.31 125.20±14.39 124.00±11.66

(100) (86.52±1.82) (82.60±2.87) (82.01±2.58) (79.56±6.71) (75.91±3.01) (75.36±4.17)

Mean + SEM. * p<0.05

Table 2: Effect of 200mg/kg of plant extracts on blood glucose level of alloxan induced diabetic rats for 6 hours.
Group 0h 1h 2h 3h 4h 5h 6h
1:1 434.8±133.20 292.8±92.82* 207.4±66.31* 161.0±51.25* 136.2±35.82* 124.0±39.47* 119.0±37.67*
(100) (67.71±9.50) (49.66±11.48) (39.84±12.59) (35.17±14.03) (32.11±14.27) (31.0±14.18)
1:2 215.4±43.47 192.4±45.71 181.66±45.84 176.4±48.14 178.8±47.57 170.6±45.82 171.4±45.01
(100) (88.79±3.15) (83.60±4.41) (81.04±6.13) (82.24±5.59) (78.34±4.79) (78.77±4.22)
2:1 242.6±77.26 205.2±56.23 172.8±56.13 165.6±70.26 154.2±63.32 148.8±64.76 143.2±68.70
(100) (86.41±10.80) (74.98±19.33) (74.24±27.81) (67.91±23.22) (65.21±23.23) (62.68±24.92)
Glibenclamide 158.80±9.04 101.00±18.62* 79.20±16.99* 71.20±15.73* 65.20±13.66* 66.80±13.26* 61.80±11.86*
(100) (63.34±9.84) (50.16±11.26) (47.02±11.75) (41.13±7.67) (42.41±7.69) (38.87±7.04)
Control 164.60±13.73 142.60±14.37 136.20±14.99 135.20±14.40 131.40±19.31 125.20±14.39 124.00±11.66
(100) (86.52±1.82) (82.60±2.87) (82.01±2.58) (79.56±6.71) (75.91±3.01) (75.36±4.17)
Mean + SEM. * p<0.05

Table 3: Effect of 400mg/kg of plant extracts on blood glucose level of alloxan induced diabetic rats for 6 hours.
Group 0h 1h 2h 3h 4h 5h 6h
1:1 379.8±148.33 263.8±91.09* 197.2±86.99* 136.0±64.88* 106.8±32.02* 96.00±20.98* 84.40±16.60*
(100) (71.38±8.99) (54.09±17.19) (39.64±17.13) (33.10±17.48) (32.95±23.39) (29.01±19.90)
1:2 248.0±97.88 214.8±106.3 209.8±108.37 206.4±105.58 203.6±105.55 204.6±106.94 203.6±107.80
(100) (84.0±12.91) (81.57±14.96) (80.10±12.53) (78.80±12.72) (79.22±13.97) (78.70±14.79)
2:1 170.6±19.64 117.2±20.57 109.8±19.57 108.2±19.34* 100.6±20.34* 99.40±21.49 92.40±20.32*
(100) (68.56±7.97) (64.16±7.03) (63.20±6.82) (58.64±7.37) (57.93±8.46) (53.79±7.76)

Glibenclamide 158.80±9.04 101.00±18.62* 79.20±16.99* 71.20±15.73* 65.20±13.66* 66.80±13.26* 61.80±11.86*

(100) (63.34±9.84) (50.16±11.26) (47.02±11.75) (41.13±7.67) (42.41±7.69) (38.87±7.04)

Control 164.60±13.73 142.60±14.37 136.20±14.99 135.20±14.40 131.40±19.31 125.20±14.39 124.00±11.66

(100) (86.52±1.82) (82.60±2.87) (82.01±2.58) (79.56±6.71) (75.91±3.01) (75.36±4.17)

Mean + SEM. * p<0.05

Table 4: Effect of 100mg/kg of plant extracts on blood glucose level of alloxan induced diabetic rats for 28 days
Group 0wk 1wk 2wk 3wk 4wk
1:1 364.00±151.13 185.2± 85.33 179.4 ±72.34* 151±60.54* 137.4±56.27
(100) (49.92± 2.42) (49.28±3.22) (41.74±4.00) (37.76±1.51)
1:2 357.00±20.20 288.6±152.22 276.8±159.28 213.4±109.66 216±116.27
(100) (82.9±5.49) (76.68±3.65) (62.68±8.44) (61.88±5.06)
2:1 460.40±120.95 273.2±71.10 279.2±79.42 126±27.14* 95.8±23.38*
(100) (59.39±2.88) (62.39±14.35) (28.23±4.69) (20.95±2.17)
Glibenclamide 283.80±117.98 187.40±102.21 213.6±92.19 191±99.12 63.4±17.37*
(100) (62.25±13.75) (75.65±10.76) (65.03±7.60) (24.71±8.80)
Control 262.80±133.39 169.00±96.61 197.80±110.17 181.8±93.3 131.8±70.73
(100) (66.99±16.54) (74.00±6.39) (69.64±5.67) (54.99±16.43)
Mean + SEM. * p<0.05

Table 5: Effect of 200mg/kg of plant extracts on blood glucose level of alloxan induced diabetic rats for 28 days
Group 0wk 1wk 2wk 3wk 4wk

1:1 226.80±82.92 156.2±69.08 135.60±33.55* 147.60±45.84 106.80±22.84

(100) (67.58±5.34) (61.77±7.65) (66.27±6.09) (49.77±10.96)
1:2 261.00±146.67 212.00±134.74 157.81±37.56 173.80±104.31 161.20±77.07
(100) (79.05±4.22) (68.86±15.82) (65.29±4.72) (63.65±4.41)
2:1 310.00±100.61 187.00±61.92 132.80±44.58* 64.20±18.66* 88.20±20.08*
(100) (60.64±14.15) (42.73±7.77) (21.25±4.66) (30.30±8.52)
Glibenclamide 283.80±117.98 187.40±102.21 213.6±92.19 191±99.12 63.4±17.37*
(100) (62.25±13.75) (75.65±10.76) (65.03±7.60) (24.71±8.80)
Control 262.80±133.39 169.00±96.61 197.80±110.17 181.8±93.3 131.8±70.73
(100) (66.99±16.54) (74.00±6.39) (69.64±5.67) (54.99±16.43)
Mean + SEM. * p<0.05
Table 6: Effect of 400mg/kg of plant extracts on blood glucose level of alloxan induced diabetic rats for 28 days
Group 0wk 1wk 2wk 3wk 4wk

1:1 270.00±37.30 117.80±33.33* 107.80±23.03* 115.80±23.58* 93.60±26.67*

(100) (42.93±7.97) (39.59±4.79) (42.62±5.68) (34.00±6.61)
1:2 252.20±80.19 150.60±55.05 161.20±25.53 79.60±29.49* 120.40±11.07
(100) (60.06±16.38) (68.73±16.48) (31.03±6.42) (51.79±13.25)

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 Obi H I et al. / JPBMS, 2012, 19 (01)
2:1 303.80±120.53 245.00±122.80 249.60±108.84 159.20±57.52 139.60±42.51
(100) (77.14±9.65) (81.95±8.19) (53.73±8.31) (47.08±7.14)
Glibenclamide 283.80±117.98 187.40±102.21 213.6±92.19 191±99.12 63.4±17.37*
(100) (62.25±13.75) (75.65±10.76) (65.03±7.60) (24.71±8.80)
Control 262.80±133.39 169.00±96.61 197.80±110.17 181.8±93.3 131.8±70.73
(100) (66.99±16.54) (74.00±6.39) (69.64±5.67) (54.99±16.43)
Mean + SEM. * p<0.05

Discussion: both acutely and after 28days daily administration. This

The LD 50 of the combined extract was above 5000mg/kg.
There was no observed sign of weakness or anorexia
within 24 hours of administration . Though the animals
treated with the extract mixture showed increased
appetite, food and water consumption, there was no
significant gain in weight. Hence the effectiveness of the
extract mixture in diabetic management is not likely
associated with obesity, a metabolic limitation of some
antidiabetics especially the sulphonylureas.
Most polyherbal antidiabetic therapies have
normoglycemic activities higher than monotherapies(7),
this study emphasized that the combining ratios of the
polyherbal antidiabetic remedies are equally important.
Combining G. latifolium and A. cepa in the ratio of 1:1 or 2:1
gave good antidiabetic activity compared with 1:2 ratio
indicates a better antidiabetics activity when G. latifolium
is equal or more than A. cepa in the polyherbal remedy.
From the result obtained, the 1:1 ratio is preferred when
used acutely otherwise 2:1 is the choice especially at
100mg to 200mg/kg doses. At 400mg/kg for 28days, the
2:1 ratio showed lack of effectiveness as seen for
Glibenclamide at all the doses. Glibenclamide (a
sulphonylurea) has the problem of therapeutic
refractoriness or secondary failure over time.
The aqueous extract of G. latifolium increases the
enzymatic activities of glutathione reductase while the
ethanolic extract caused a significant increase in of
glutathione peroxidase and glucose-6-phosephate
dehydrogenase activities and a significant decrease in lipid

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 Obi H I et al. / JPBMS, 2012, 19 (01)
peroxidation(16). Also, A. cepa oil caused to significantly
reduction of blood glucose and increase serum insulin in
diabetic induced rats(17), and reduce post prandial glucose
level in human diabetic patients(18). Reported mechanisms
of allium species include increased glutathione peroxidase
activity(19), and improved liver glycogen storage(20).
Combining the individual properties of these extracts
provides α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (postprandial
lowering effect of plasma glucose), potentiates the
surviving β-cells to secrete insulin (decrease of plasma
glucose levels)(21) and antioxidant effects (increasing the
activities of gluthathione reductase). Also, by decreasing
blood glucose, the vascular complication associated with
diabetes may reduced appreciably.
The combination of the G. latifolium and A. cepa extract
provides a more wholistic efficacy desired in the
management of type II diabetes; however, the result of the
study showed that combination of both plants provide the
best antidiabetic effect when the ratio of G. latifolium and
A. cepa are equal or when G. latifolium is more in the
combined product.
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Corresponding Author:-
Ajaghaku DL.,
Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University,
Agulu Campus, Anambra state, Nigeria.
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