Abstract:
This study examined the blood glucose lowering potential of the aqueous stem bark extract (ABE) of Sri Lankan
endemic plant - Kokoona zeylanica (Family: Celestraceae). This was tested in normoglycaemic mice using three
oral doses (1800, 2500 and 3000 mg/kg of body weight). The results show a moderate but dose dependant acute
hypoglycaemic activity with a fairly rapid onset (4 h). However, It did not have a hypoglycaemic effect in non
fasted mice or in fasted mice (treated consecutively for 30 days). ABE did not improve the glucose tolerance test
indicating the Lack of antihyperglycaemic activity. However, ABE improved the sucrose tolerance test indicating
the a-glucosidase inhibitory activity, which appears to be the main mechanism of hypoglycaemic activity. ABE was
well tolerated {in terms of overt clinical signs of toxicity, hepatotoxicity and renotoxicity), and it did not provoke
a change in the lipid profile. It is concluded that the ABE of K. zeylanica has a safe, moderate and acute
hypoglycaemic activity
