Abstract
The aqueous, alcoholic, and chloroform extracts of the leaves of Tinospora cordifolia were administered in doses of 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg body weight to normal and
alloxan-diabetic rabbits. The blood glucose and total lipid levels were estimated
before and 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours after administration of the extract. The extract exerted
a significant (P <0.5) hypoglycaemic effect in normal as well as in alloxan-treated
rabbits. The extracts, however, had no significant (P >0.05) effect on total lipid
levels in normal as well as in alloxan-treated diabetic rabbits. The doses used did
not show acute toxicity or result in behavioural changes. From this study, it may
be concluded that extracts of the leaves of Tinospora cordifolia have an insulin-like action and can significantly reduce the blood glucose but not
the total lipid levels in normal rabbits and in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits.
Key words
Tinospora cordifolia
- hypoglycaemic effect - alloxan-induced diabetes - blood glucose - total lipids
