Effect of Eriobotrya japonica on blood glucose levels of normal and alloxan diabetic rabbits.

The alcoholic extract of the leaves of Eriobotrya japonica was administered in doses of 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg body weight to normal and alloxan diabetic rabbits. The blood glucose levels were estimated before and 1,2,3 and 4 hours after the administration of the extract. The extract exerted a significant (P < 0.05) hypoglycaemic effect in normal rabbits which was however short-lived. The hypoglycaemic effect was not significant ( P> 0.1) in alloxan-treated rabbits. The doses used did not show acute toxicity and behavioural changes. From this study, it may be concluded that the extract acts by initiating the release of insulin from pancreative beta cells of normal rabbits (JPMA 38:108, 1988).