Hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic activity of Murraya koenigii leaves in diabetic rats

The commonly used spice curry patta (Murraya koenigii) is traditionally consumed by diabetics in southern part of India. Feeding of diet containing various doses of curry leaves (5, 10 and 15%) to normal rats for 7 days as well as mild diabetic (blood glucose levels > 175 mg/dl induced by alloxan 35 mg/kg IP) and moderate diabetic rats (blood glucose levels > 250 mg/dl induced by STZ 60 mg/kg IP) for 5 weeks showed varying hypoglycemic and anti-hyperglycemic effect. In normal rats, reduction in blood glucose was almost negligible ( similar to 4% with 10 and 15% diet). In mild and moderate diabetic rats, feeding of 5, 10 and 15% diet caused a maximal reduction in blood sugar by 13.1, 16.3 and 21.4% (NS, P < 0.05 and 0.005) and 3.2, 5.58, 8.21% (NS), respectively. The mechanism of action is further discussed in light of results of previous and the present study. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.