CHHETREE RR, DASH GK, MONDAL S AND PARHI R
Diabetes, the most prevailing metabolic disorder is attracting present research attention towards it. In the present study, the chloroform, methanol and aqueous extracts of the barks of Salix tetrasperma Roxburgh. (Family: Salicaceae) was evaluated for hypoglycemic activity on adult Wistar albino rats at dose levels of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg p.o. respectively each using normoglycaemic, oral glucose tolerance test and alloxan induced hyperglycaemic rats. Glibenclamide (2.5 mg/kg) was used as reference standard for activity comparison. Among the tested extracts, the aqueous extract was found to produce promising results that is comparable to that of the reference standard glibenclamide. The preliminary phytochemical examination of the aqueous extract revealed presence of flavonoids, tannins and saponins. The study established the scientific basis for the utility of this plant in the treatment of diabetes and justifies the use of the bark of the plant for treating diabetes as suggested in folklore remedies.
