Abstract
The alcoholic extract of the leaves of Eriobotrya japonica was administered in doses of 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg body weight to normal and alloxan-diabetic
rabbits. The blood glucose levels were estimated before and 1,2,3, and 4 hours after
the administration of the extract. The extract exerted a significant (P < 0.05) hypoglycaemic
effect in normal rabbits which was, however, short-lived. The hypoglycaemic effect
was not significant (P > 0.1) in alloxan-treated rabbits. The doses used did not show
acute toxicity or result in behavioural changes. From this study, it may be concluded
that the extract acts by initiating the release of insulin from pancratic beta cells
of normal rabbits.
