Anti-diabetic activities of Fleurya aestuans (L.) Gaudich in alloxan induced rats

Diabetes mellitus is becoming an increasing concern all over the world and such people especially in some communities have used medicinal plants to treat diabetes and its complications. This investigation aimed to examine the hypoglycemic potential of the methanol extract of Fleurya aestuans leaves in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Thirty five Wistar albino rats were grouped into seven different groups of five per group where diabetes was induced in the rats by intra peritoneal administration of alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg) except a control group. F. aestuans methanol extract at a dose of 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg of body weight were administered at a single dose per day for a period of 10 days to the diabetic rats, respectively. Five mg/kg of standard drug, glibenclamide (a positive control) was given to one of the groups. The effects of F. aestuans methanol extract of whole plant, on blood glucose was measured in the diabetic rats. This activity is not dose dependent.   Key words: Fleurya aestuans leaves, antidiabetic activity, alloxan, glibenclimide, Wistar rats.