摘要
Objective:Aim of present study is to scientifically,verify the antidiabetic activity/potency of Vernonia amygdalina in human diabetes.Methods:A search was made at Nnewi,South - East Nigeria for known diabetes who use Vernonia amygdalina either as their sole or supplementary antidiabetic.A total of ten volunteers comprising, eight females and two males were recruited.They were all of age range of 36-50 and average weight of 78 kg and suffering from non - insulin form of diabetes.The purpose of the study was explained to them and their consent obtained.They were asked not to take any other antidiabetic outside Vernonia amygdalina throughout the four weeks study period.There was however,no form of restrictions to their choice of diet or life style. They were requested to abstain from any drugs a week prior to commencement of study.Their prescriber’s dosage range was followed and minimum daily dose of 210 mL(approximately 220 mg of dry extract) was administered in Week-1,followed by daily dose of 420 mL(440 mg) in Week-2.In Week-3 they received 630 mL (660 mg) daily dose and in Week-4,they received daily dose of 840 mL(880 mg).Their fasting blood sugar were estimated pre-crude drug administration and on weekly basis for the four week study period.Their weekly weights were measured to check for possible weight gain or loss.Results were subjected to statistical analysis and Students T-Test was used to calculate P-value.P-value≤0.05 were considered significant.Results:It was observed that all the volunteers in the study group were taking Vernonia amygdalina only as supplementary. Two volunteers dropped out of the study at the end of Week-3 leaving us with 8 in Week-4.There was no significant bodyweight change within the four week study.The starting mean fasting blood sugar which was 133.3 mg/dL(7.41 mmol/L) rose to 136.6 mg/dL(7.59 mmol/L) in Week-1,to 149.5 mg/dL(8.31 mmol/L) in Week-2 and to 166.5 mg/dL(9.30 mmol/L) in Week-3.Week-4 had us left with 8 volunteers with a mean of 190.6 mg/dL(10.59 mmol/L).There was significant differences in increase in sugar levels between the pre-crade extract administration and treatment period with Vernonia amygdalina(P≤0.05 for Week-1,Ps?0.02 for Week-2,P^0.01 for Week-3 and PssO.001 for Week-4).Conclusion:Claims of antidiabetic efficacy of Vernonia amygdalina in human diabetes are scientifically non verifiable based on our work hence these claims are false.We also feel bold to state that we could not demonstrate any antidiabetic activity of Vernonia amygdalina in human subjects.We recommend that NAFDAC and all relevant agencies must sit up and control all forms advertorial on Medicinal plants until such are well studied and proven.
Objective:Aim of present study is to scientifically,verify the antidiabetic activity/potency of Vernonia amygdalina in human diabetes.Methods:A search was made at Nnewi,South - East Nigeria for known diabetes who use Vernonia amygdalina either as their sole or supplementary antidiabetic.A total of ten volunteers comprising, eight females and two males were recruited.They were all of age range of 36-50 and average weight of 78 kg and suffering from non - insulin form of diabetes.The purpose of the study was explained to them and their consent obtained.They were asked not to take any other antidiabetic outside Vernonia amygdalina throughout the four weeks study period.There was however,no form of restrictions to their choice of diet or life style. They were requested to abstain from any drugs a week prior to commencement of study.Their prescriber's dosage range was followed and minimum daily dose of 210 mL(approximately 220 mg of dry extract) was administered in Week-1,followed by daily dose of 420 mL(440 mg) in Week-2.In Week-3 they received 630 mL (660 mg) daily dose and in Week-4,they received daily dose of 840 mL(880 mg).Their fasting blood sugar were estimated pre-crude drug administration and on weekly basis for the four week study period.Their weekly weights were measured to check for possible weight gain or loss.Results were subjected to statistical analysis and Students T-Test was used to calculate P-value.P-value≤0.05 were considered significant.Results:It was observed that all the volunteers in the study group were taking Vernonia amygdalina only as supplementary. Two volunteers dropped out of the study at the end of Week-3 leaving us with 8 in Week-4.There was no significant bodyweight change within the four week study.The starting mean fasting blood sugar which was 133.3 mg/dL(7.41 mmol/L) rose to 136.6 mg/dL(7.59 mmol/L) in Week-1,to 149.5 mg/dL(8.31 mmol/L) in Week-2 and to 166.5 mg/dL(9.30 mmol/L) in Week-3.Week-4 had us left with 8 volunteers with a mean of 190.6 mg/dL(10.59 mmol/L).There was significant differences in increase in sugar levels between the pre-crade extract administration and treatment period with Vernonia amygdalina(P≤0.05 for Week-1,Ps?0.02 for Week-2,P^0.01 for Week-3 and PssO.001 for Week-4).Conclusion:Claims of antidiabetic efficacy of Vernonia amygdalina in human diabetes are scientifically non verifiable based on our work hence these claims are false.We also feel bold to state that we could not demonstrate any antidiabetic activity of Vernonia amygdalina in human subjects.We recommend that NAFDAC and all relevant agencies must sit up and control all forms advertorial on Medicinal plants until such are well studied and proven.
