Effect of Caralluma attenuata in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats.

The hypoglycemic effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of whole plant Caralluma attenuata was investigated in both normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. The blood glucose levels were measured at 0, 1, 2 and 3 h after the treatment. The aqueous and alcoholic extracts of C. attenuata (100 mg/kg) reduced the blood glucose level of normal rat from 84.5 +/- 2.0 to 68.5 +/- 2.8 mg/dl and 82.6 +/- 1.8 to 67.4 +/- 2.8 mg/dl, respectively, 3h after oral administration (P < 0.001). Blood glucose levels in alloxan induced diabetic rats were also significantly lowered from 316 +/- 3.32 to 162 +/- 2.76 and 324 +/- 4.10 to 150 +/- 3.94 mg/dl, respectively, 3 h after oral administration (P < 0.001).