Comparative study of Eugenia jambolana seed and pulp for antidiabetic action on alloxan induced diabetic rats

Background: Eugenia jambolana Lam., commonly known as black plum or “jamun” is an important medicinal plant in various traditional systems of medicine. It is effective in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, inflammation, ulcers and diarrhoea and preclinical studies have also shown it to possess chemopreventive, radioprotective and antineoplastic properties. The aim of the present study is to compare the action of extract of Eugenia jambolana (Jamun) seed with pulp on blood glucose level in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats.Methods: The extracts (100 mg/kg/d) were administered orally for four weeks to alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Blood glucose was estimated every week for four consecutive weeks.Results: The test drugs that is Eugenia jambolana seed showed more significant (p<0.05) than pulp in reduction of blood glucose induced by alloxan.Conclusions: Thus, Eugenia jambolana seeds show more antidiabetic effect than Eugenia jambolana pulp. However, further studies to isolate the active principle of Eugenia jambolana responsible for hypoglycemia, together with studies on serum insulin assay to confirm its insulin releasing action have to be undertaken