Anti-diabetic Activity of Holarrhena antidysenterica (Linn.) Wall, Bark on Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

Objective: To screen the antidiabetic potential of the bark of Holarrhena antidysenterica Linn. Materials and methods: In the present study, bark of Holarrhena antidysenterica Linn was screened for antidiabetic activity. Bark powder of H.antidysenterica was subjected to hot continuous extraction (soxhlet) with various solvents like petroleum ether (40-60°C), chloroform, butanol, butanone and alcohol. Aqueous extract was prepared by cold maceration. After preliminary phytochemical investigation, all the extracts were evaluated for antidiabetic activity after single dose (acute study) and after prolonged treatment (chronic study) in alloxan induced diabetic albino rats. All the extracts were given orally at a dose of 250 mg/kg b.w., Glibenclamide was used as standard drug (10 mg/kg b.w. p.o.). Results and discussion: Alcohol, butanol, chloroform, aqueous and butanone showed significant antidiabetic activity in acute as well as prolonged treatment compared to control. Petroleum ether extract did not show significant antidiabetic activity on prolonged treatment. Among all the extracts, alcoholic extract had more significantly reduced the blood glucose level after single dose and nearly equal to standard Glibenclamide after prolonged treatment.