The aim of the study was to investigate the hepato-protective effect of the phytochemical fractions of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) on Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic albino Wistar rats. Forty eight rats weighing between140-180g were divided into eight groups of six rats each. Groups one and two representing normal control (NC) and diabetic control (DC) received 0.5ml of dimethyl-sulphoxide (DMSO). Group three received 5IU/kg body weight insulin intraperitoneally and group four received 200mg/kg body weight crude VA extract orally. Group five to eight received 30%, 50% and 100% methanol and butanol VA fractions respectively at 75mg/kg b.w. The Serum liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and histology of the Liver were analyzed after 28 days treatment period. The results showed a significant (P = 0.05) increase in the serum ALT, AST, ALP concentrations in diabetic rats relative to NC. The increases were reversed towards normal in 30%, 100% methanol and butanol fraction treated groups and crude extract at varying degrees. The butanol fractions, on balance, showed a better overall ameliorative impact than the other fractions. Histological examination of the liver confirmed these results. While Section of the liver of the NC group showed a preserved architecture with abundant cytoplasm and prominent intact nuclei, that of the DC group showed swollen hepatocyte with mild inflammatory infiltrates, vacuolated nuclei with the very eosinophilic cytoplasm showing micro vesicular steatosis. The sinusoid was very dilated and congested. Treatments with the crude extract and fractions showed a restoration of the integrity of the hepatocytes to various degrees reflecting the order of their effect on the liver enzymes. These result showed that VA fractions, like the crude extracts, may be useful in the treatment of liver damage associated with STZ-induced diabetes. From the findings the butanol fraction of VA was more effective in the reversal of diabetes induced hepatotoxicity. The study represents a step towards determining the active principles of VA involved in reversal of diabetes induced hepatotoxicity and ultimately the standardization of the VA plant in diabetes therapy.

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