Abstract :
Petrea volubilis L. (Verbenaceae, local name: nilmoni lota) is a vinous plant found in various regions of Bangladesh. Excoecaria agallocha L. (Euphorbiaceae, local name: gewa) is a mangrove species found in the Sunderbans forest region in the south-western coastal districts of the country. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antihyperglycemic potential of leaves of P. volubilis, and stems of E. agallocha, both plant parts being used in the folk medicinal system of Bangladesh for treatment of a variety of ailments, including diabetes. Antihyperglycemic activity was studied by oral glucose tolerance tests in glucose-loaded Swiss albino mice. The methanol extract of leaves of P. volubilis showed dose-dependent and significant reductions of serum glucose levels in mice, when evaluated at doses ranging from 50 to 400 mg per kg body weight. At a dose of 400 mg leaf extract/kg body weight, the reduction in glucose level was comparable to that of the standard antihyperglycemic drug, glibenclamide, administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight. The methanol extract of stems of E. agallocha demonstrated more potent antihyperglycemic activity compared to glibenclamide, when examined at doses of 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight. The results indicate that the leaves of P. volubilis and stems of E. agallocha can be potential sources of antidiabetic drugs. Key words: Petrea volubilis, Excoecaria agallocha, antihyperglycemic, mice