Effect of Agarista mexicana and Verbesina persicifolia on blood glucose level of normoglycaemic and alloxan-diabetic mice and rats

Blood glucose levels of normal and alloxan-treated diabetic mice and rats were determined after oral administration of various doses of the chloroform extracts of A. mexicana and V. persicifolia. From the data obtained, it is concluded that the oral administration of 100 and 150 mg/kg of chloroform extracts of these plants produced a significant hypoglycaemic effect in normal as well as in diabetic mice and rats. In addition the extracts altered glucose tolerance in alloxan induced diabetic rats, enhanced glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and significantly inhibited glycogenolysis in the liver. These results indicate that the hypoglycaemic effect may be similar to tolbutamide.