Chidimma, Acharaike AmarachiOfoego, Uzozie ChikereEzejindu, Damian NnabuiheDemshimeno, Paul MatthewObinwa, Makuachukwu FranciscaObinwa, Benedict Nzube2026-02-132026-02-132025-12European Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine T. 23, z. 4 (2025), s. 969–9772544-1361https://repozytorium.ur.edu.pl/handle/item/12201The protocol for the study was approved by the Ethics Committee, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe Universitty, Nnewi Campus and was assigned the reference number NAU/CHS/NC/FBMS/472.Introduction and aim. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that affects multiple organs, including the hippocampus, a key region involved in memory. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective and antidiabetic effects of Vernonia amygdalina and Moringa oleifera in an alloxan-induced diabetic rat model. Materials and methods. Thirty-five adult Wistar rats were randomized into seven groups and treated with aqueous extracts of V. amygdalina, M. oleifera, their combination, or glibenclamide for 30 days following alloxan-induced diabetes. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), hippocampal acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, cognitive performance (Morris Water Maze test) and histopathological changes in the hippocampus were evaluated. Results. Alloxan significantly increased FBG (20.68±1.04 mmol/L), AChE activity (40.40±0.40 nmol/mL), and escape latency (51.75±4.39 sec), and reduced hippocampal cell density. Treatment with V. amygdalina and M. oleifera reduced FBG (8.29±0.93 mmol/L), AChE activity (34.50±0.30 nmol/mL), and escape latency (3.39±0.45 sec), and improved hippocampal histoarchitecture. Conclusion. V. amygdalina and M. oleifera demonstrated neuroprotective and antidiabetic effects in diabetic rats. These results support their potential as adjunct agents to prevent diabetes-induced cognitive dysfunction.engAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/acetylcholinesterasediabetes mellitushippocampusMoringa oleiferaVernonia amygdalinaarticle10.15584/ejcem.2025.4.20