Mild antihyperglycaemic activity in Eclipta alba, Berberis aristata, Betula utilis, Cedrus deodara, Myristica fragrans and Terminalia chebula

Abstract

The ethanolic extracts of different parts of the following plants viz. Eclipta alba Hassk (Asteraceae) whole plant, roots of Berberis aristata DC (Berbidaceae), stem wood of Betula utilis D. Don (Betulaceae), stem wood of Cedrus deodara (Pinaceae), and fruits of Myristica fragrans Houtt . (Myristcaceae) exhibited 7.5, 8.3, 9.2, 6.0, and 8.7% significant fall in blood glucose profile in a single dose experiment on Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In single dose experiment nearly 8.0% decline in blood glucose profile of Streptozotocininduced diabetic rats was observed with a known antidiabetic ethanolic extract of the fruits of Terminalia chebula (Gaertn.) Retz. (Combretaceae).