Hypoglycaemic effect of Helicteres isora bark extract in rats

The hypoglycaemic effect of the aqueous extract of the bark of Helicteres isora L. (Sterculiaceae) was investigated in normal, glucose load conditions and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. In normal rats, the aqueous extract of the bark of Helicteres isora L. (100 and 200 mg/kg/p.o.) significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the blood glucose levels from 64.5–48.5 and 67–47 mg% 2 h after oral administration of bark extract and also significantly lowered the blood glucose in STZ diabetic rats from 68–105 and 66–85.5 mg% 21 days after daily oral administration of the extract (P < 0.001). The results suggested that the aqueous extract of bark of Helicteres isora L. possesses a potential hypoglycaemic effect in diabetic rats.