Hypoglycemic Activity of Ficus racemosa L. (Moraceae) Leaves in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

The hypoglycemic effect of the extract of Ficus racemosa leaves was studied on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Petroleum ether $(60-80^{\circ}C)$ extract of the plant obtained by soxhlet extraction from coarsely pulverised leaves was used. In the $LD_{50}$ determination of the extract no abnormalities were observed at the dose range of 3 g/kg (p.o.) of the extract. The extract (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg orally) caused a reduction of blood glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by 28.9% (P<0.00l) and 34.6% (P<0.001) respectively at the end of 9 days. The results. of this study indicate that the petroleum ether $(60-80^{\circ}C)$ extract of the leaves possesses significant hypoglycemic activity in hyperglycemic animals compared with glybenclamide as standard drug.