HYPOGLYCAEMIC ACTIVITY OF DIFFERENT FRACTIONS OF BERBERIS ARISTATA ROOT-BARK IN NORMAL AND ALLOXAN DIABETIC RABBITS

Abstract

A number of plants including Berberis aristata roots are considered effective as antidiabetic agents in ethnomedical practices. In this study effects of certain isolated fractions from root-bark of Berberis aristata on blood glucose levels were determined in normal and alloxan-diabetic rabbits. In normal rabbits, ethanolic fraction in 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg produced significant decrease (P<0.05 or 0.001) at 8 and 12 hrs. Its acidified-basified fraction showed significant lowering of blood sugar at 2, 4, 8 and 12 hrs. The chloroform: methanol fraction also produced significant hypoglycaemic effect at these intervals. In alloxan-diabetic rabbits, ethanolic fraction in doses similar to normal animals produced significant decrease in blood glucose at 2, 4, 8 and 12 hrs.