HYPOGLYCEMIC, ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC AND HYPOLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITIES OF CAESALPINIA-BONDUCELLA SEEDS IN RATS

Hypoglycaemic, antihyperglycaemic and hypolipidemic activities of the aqueous and 50% ethanolic extracts of Caesalpinia bonducella Fleming ( Leguminosae) seeds were studied in normal and streptozotocin (SZ)-diab etic rats. In normal rats, both the extracts exhibited hypoglycaemic a ctivity as early as 4 h after administration at a lower dose of 100 mg /kg. The hypoglycaemia produced by the aqueous extract was of prolonge d duration as compared to ethanolic extract. In diabetic rats, both th e extracts produced significant (P < 0.01) antihyperglycaemic effect f rom day 5 onwards. Aqueous extract also exhibited antihypercholesterol emic and antihypertriglyceridemic effects in SZ-diabetic rats. These r esults suggest that C. bonducella seeds possess an antidiabetic princi ple and can be useful for treatment of diabetes. Further studies are w arranted to fractionate the active principle and to find out its exact mechanism of action. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.