The study undertaken to evaluate antidiabetic potential of Bridelia retusa Spreng. bark on normal and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The hypoglycemic activity in normal rats was carried out by treatment using ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Bridelia retusa Spreng. bark at a dose of 200 and 300 mg/kg, respectively, p.o. and standard drug glibenclamide 10 mg/kg, p.o. The serum glucose was then measured at 0, 4, 8 and 12th days after administration of extracts and standard drug using glucometer. The oral glucose tolerance test was carried out by administering glucose (2 g/kg, p.o), to non-diabetic rats treated with ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Bridelia retusa Spreng. bark and glibenclamide. The serum glucose was then measured at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min. after administration of extracts and standard drug. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were administered the same doses of bark extracts, and standard drug glibenclamide given to the normal rats for 21 days. The serum glucose was measured on day 0, 7, 14 and 21st after administration of the extracts and standard drug. The Bridelia retusa Spreng. bark extracts were effective in lowering serum glucose level in normal rats. Improvement in oral glucose tolerance was also registered by treatment with Bridelia retusa. The administration of bark extracts to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats showed a significant reduction in serum glucose level. It is concluded that Bridelia retusa Spreng. bark extracts have significant anti-diabetic activity.
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