Diabetes mellitus in Kenya is a major health concern as it is known to result in mobility, mortality, and long-term complications. Conventional drugs used in the management of diabetes mellitus are unavailable, expensive, and have numerous side effects. Vernonia lasiopus plant has a folkloric usage in diabetes mellitus management though its efficacy needs to be evaluated scientifically. This study therefore aimed at establishing in vivo antihyperglycemic effect of aqueous leaf extract from Vernonia lasiopus in alloxan-induced diabetic male albino mice. Eight groups of mice each group having five mice were used in the study. The plasma sugar lowering effect was monitored after intraperitoneal and oral administration of Vernonia lasiopus extract at doses of 25, 48.4, 93.5, 180.9 and 350 mg/kg body weight. The treatment effects of extracts were compared with the positive controls (insulin and glibenclamide treated for intraperitoneal and oral routes respectively). Standard procedures were used to determine the phytochemicals present in the extracts. ANOVA and post-ANOVA was used to analyze the data collected. The results of the study showed that the aqueous leaves extract at all the five doses administered demonstrated antihyperglycemic effect in a dose independent manner. The phytochemical results showed the presence of phenols, tannins, alkaloids, and flavonoids. The antidiabetic effects shown by the plant extract could be due to the phytochemicals present. Vernonia lasiopus aqueous leaves extract has antidiabetic effects and the study therefore recommends its folkloric use in management of diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus causes significant morbidity, mortality, and diabetes related complications. Conventional drugs are used in management of diabetes mellitus but are costly, are not readily available and also have many side effects. Herbal plants used in diabetes mellitus management are believed to be cheaper and readily available. Piper capense is used traditionally in diabetes mellitus management but its efficacy has to be scientifically evaluated. The study's aim was to investigate antidiabetic potential of aqueous root extracts of Piper capense in diabetic male albino mice. The antidiabetic potential of the extracts was screened in diabetic mice using oral as well as intraperitoneal routes. In the study, albino mice were put into eight groups comprising five mice each. For this purpose aqueous extract was administered at 25, 48.4, 93.5, 180.9, and 350 mg/kg body weight. 1IU/kg body weight dose of insulin and 4.6 mg of glibenclamide was used as a standard hypoglycemic agent for comparing the results. Blood sugar levels were measured at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 24 hours with the use of a glucometer. The data was then analyzed using ANOVA and post-ANOVA. The lyophilate of Piper capense phytochemical composition was determined by standard procedures. Piper capense extracts administered by either route at 25 mg/kg body weight, 48.4 mg/kg body weight, 93.5 mg/kg body weight, 180.9 mg/kg body weight and 350 mg/kg body weight showed antidiabetic activity. The phytochemical result showed that the aqueous extracts contained tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, sterols, and saponins. The antidiabetic activity showed could be due to the presence of some phytochemicals present which have antidiabetic activity.