Antihyperglycemic and Hypoglycemic Effect of Portulaca Quadrifida Linn.

Abstract

The hypoglycemic effect of ethanolic extract of Portulaca quadrifida was investigated on glucose loaded and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The blood glucose levels were measured at 0, 1, 2 and 3 h after the treatment. The ethanolic extract of P. quadrifida (200 mg/kg) reduced the blood glucose of normal rat from 85.33?1.79 to 65.17?3.67 mg/dl, 3 h after oral administration of the extract (P<0.001). It also significantly lowered blood glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rat from 330.67?3.27 to 132.17?4.49 mg/dl, 3 h after oral administration of the extract (P<0.001). The antihyperglycemic activity of P. quadrifida was compared with tolbutamide, an oral hypoglycemic agent.