Anti-diabetic Activity of Daemia extensa R. Br.

Objective : The evaluation of antidiabetic activity of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of whole plant of Daemia extensa R Br. Materials and methods: The antidiabetic activity of both the extracts were evaluated using alloxan (120 mg/kg; i.p.) induced hyperglycemic rats. The potency of alcoholic and aqueous extracts were compared with that of reference drug chlopropamide. The blood glucose level was measured by using glucometer. Results: The alcoholic extract produced a highly significant fall in Blood Glucose Level (BGL) at 1 h after a single dose of the extract and in prolong treatment (i.e. for a week) the antidiabetic activity was maintained at par with the reference drug chlopropamide. Aqueous extract possess antidiabetic activity which was maintained upto 3 hours after a single dose and later the activity decreases but upon prolonged treatment, the peak activity was found on second day. Conclusion: Alcoholic extract of D. extensa is almost equipotent to chlorpropamide. This qualifies it to be used in ethnomedical diabetic management.