Hypoglycemic Effect Of Alcoholic Extract Of Various Species Of Passiflora On Alloxan Induced Diabetes Mellitus In Albino Rats

Oral administration of alcoholic extracts of leaves of Passiflora edulis, P. mollisima and P. quadrangularis used in Indian folklore medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus produced a gradual but significant reduction in blood glucose in alloxan treated hyperglycaemic rats at 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight over a period of eight days compared to the phenformin treated controls. It was concluded that the leaves of Passiflora species may have a beneficial effect in diabetes mellitus. Key words: Passiflora species; Passifloracea, Diabetes Glucose; Antihyperglycaemic; Alloxan Nig. J. Nat. Prod. and Med. Vol.8 2004: 19-2