The Effects of Aqueous Moringa oleifera and Gongronema latifolia on the Defense System of Diabetic Rabbits

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This study was conducted to determine the effects of aqueous Moringa oleifera and Gongronema latifolia on the defense system of diabetic rabbits. This study was carried out in the Agriculture Laboratory of the Department of Animal Science, University of Uyo, Uyo. A total of Twenty five (25) rabbits consisting of 10 males and 15 females were randomly from animal house of University of Uyo, Uyo. The experimental animals were allowed two weeks of stabilization period and feeding trials lasted for twelve weeks. Five rabbits were randomly allocated to each treatment. The floor of the pens were cleaned daily, feed and water were provided ad libitum. Leaves were air dried under shade for ten days, all leaves were threshed carefully to separate leaves from twigs before blending. Twenty percent (20%) of M. oleifera, (20%) G. latifolia (20%) leaf meals were added to each supplemented diet. The proximate composition, nutritional factors and vitamin content of air dried G. latifolia, and M. oleiferaleaves were separately analyzed using standard methods to have 26.92% crude protein, 13.60% crude fibre, 10.25% Ash, 11.90% moisture and 2129IUvitamin A,6.05%vitamin C, 805.5mg/100g of G. latifolia, and M. oleifera had 26.96% crude protein, 9.60% crude fibre, 7.13% Ash, 14.23% moisture and 1806IU vitamin A, 7.43% vitamin C, and 666.6mg/100g vitamin E. The results of the study showed significant differences (P<0.05) among the treatment in final body weight, average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and total body weight gain. The effect of treatment on feed conversion ratio were significantly different (P<0.05) in favour of rabbits on M. oleifera leaf meal T1 and G. latifolium leaf meal T2.Also, other growth performance parameters – daily weight gain and final body weight were better(P<0.05) and higher for rabbits on M. oleifera leaf T1 and G. latifolium leaf T2 diets. Average daily weight gain, final body weight and feed conversion ratio values of 10.20 ± 0.54g, 1.52 ± 0.18kg and33.00 ± 2.89 was reported for rabbits on T1, respectively, while the respective values recorded for rabbits on T2 were 10.23 ± 0.81g, 1.44 ± 0.12kg and 31.85 ± 3.42. Average feed intake was higher for rabbits in T1 (1024g/day) and lowest for those in T2 (830g/day). The feed cost/kg gain was lowest for rabbits in T1 (40.34). Graded doses of the leaves extract (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg oral) were separately administered to groups of fasted normal and alloxan induced diabetic rabbits. Following treatment, Moringa oleifera (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg oral) produced highly significant (p<0.001) reduction in blood glucose levels at 2nd hour in fasted normal and alloxan induced diabetic rabbits. But, maximum percentage reduction in blood glucose was seen with 200mg/kg dose when compared to control. The same thing was applicable with aqueous extract gongronema latifolium leaves. It was therefore concluded that the leaves of moringa oleifera and gongronema administered at the dosages used and for the duration of the experiment had significant treatment effects the defense system of diabetic rabbits and finally that the use of both herbs simultaneously will have higher effects in treatment of diabetics than when used differently. Implications and recommendations were made from the findings of the study.