J Med Food. 2003 Spring; 6(1): 43-9.

Effect of Gymnema montanum on blood glucose, plasma insulin, and carbohydrate metabolic enzymes in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Ananthan R, Latha M, Pari L, Ramkumar KM, Baskar CG, Bai VN.

Department of Botany, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore-641 046, Tamil Nadu, India.

The effects of Gymnema montanum, an endangered plant used in the ancient period of India, on blood glucose, plasma insulin, and carbohydrate metabolic enzymes were studied in alloxan diabetic rats. Administration of alcoholic extract of G. montanum leaves (50, 100, 200 mg/kg body weight) to alloxan diabetic rats for 3 weeks reduced the blood glucose level. Administration of G. montanum leaf extract (GLEt) at 200 mg/kg body weight significantly decreased the blood glucose levels and significantly increased the plasma insulin levels. This clearly shows the antidiabetic efficacy of GLEt, which was better than that of glibenclamide.