Abstract:
Canthium coromandelicum (Burm. F), are trees found in dry scrub and
monsoon forests in Sri Lanka and Southern India. Immature leaves have been
a traditional food accompaniment to rice among the people living in Sri Lanka
where the plant is frequently found. The present study was designed to
investigate the possible oral hypoglycaemic activity of the leaf extract in rats.
Percentage decreases of serum glucose levels of 15.4 % - 25.7 % were
observed at doses of 15-30 g/ kg body weight following a glucose challenge.
This is indicative of acute hypoglycaemic (anti-hyperglycaemic) activity of
the leaf extract. Oral glucose challenge on the 8th and 15th day following
repeated administration of leaf extract (20g/kg body weight) for 7 and 14 days
did not suppress the fasting or the post-prandial serum glucose levels. It is
concluded that the observed acute hypoglycaemic (anti-hyperglycaemic) effect
is possibly due to inhibition or reduction of intestinal glucose absorption mediated
by soluble dietary fibre (SDF; 1.2% DM) and pectin (38% of SO F) in the leaf.
This will explain the absence of a chronic effect. This study provides evidence
for its traditional recommendation as a functional food in diabetes.
