Vernonia amygdalina simultaneously suppresses gluconeogenesis and potentiates glucose oxidation via the pentose phosphate pathway in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)

Background: This study evaluated the impact of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) on the transcription of key enzymes involved in cellular modulation of glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats in a bid to understand the possible anti-diabetic mechanism of VA. Methods: The chloroform fraction of VA (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight) was administered to SDRs for 7 and 14 days. Thereafter, the expression (transcription) of key carbohydrate regulatory genes was evaluated in selected tissues - adipose, muscle and liver. Also, the body weight and blood glucose changes were monitored. Results: A 14-day administration of 200 mg and 400 mg of the extract and metformin (500 mg/kg) showed a striking decrease (P