Diabetes is the most common endocrine disease and its prevalence is reaching epidemic proportion worldwide. More than 10% of the population is affected by diabetes mellitus and it is the fifth most common cause of death worldwide. Tamarindus indica is a slow growing tree that is resistant to strong winds and perennial. The stem-bark extract of the plant is used locally for the management of diabetes. The flavonoids-rich portion of the stem-bark extract of Tamarindus indica L. was investigated for its hypoglycemic action on experimentally induced hyperglycaemic Wistar rats. The oral LD50 of the extract was found to be 1,265 mg/kg. The flavonoid-rich fraction lowered the blood glucose level in the three doses used (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) there was a significant reduction with the 400 mg/kg dose at the 8th, 16th and 24th hour and the 200 mg/kg dose at 16 and 24 hours, and the 100 mg/kg dose at 24 hours. The flavonoid-rich portion of Tamarindus indica Linn significantly lowered elevated blood glucose level in the experimental animal models.
Key words: Alloxan, fructose, Hyperglycemia, metformin, Tamarindus indica
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