ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF ROOTS OF SALACIA-MACROSPERMA

Various fractions of the alcoholic extract of the roots of Salacia mac rosperma were evaluated for their antidiabetic activity in alloxan-dia betic rats by estimating various biochemical parameters in blood, viz. glucose, proteins, lipids, cholesterol, and free fatty acids, after o ral administration for 8 days. From the data obtained, it is concluded that the methanolic fraction followed by the residual fraction of the alcoholic extract exhibited significant antidiabetic activity. These biofractions were able to correct the metabolic abberations in diabeti c rats. This activity may be due to their insulin-like properties.