Assessment of endocrine response of Inula racemosa in relation to glucose homeostasis in rats.

Alcoholic extract of the root of I. racemosa lowers blood glucose and enhances liver glycogen without increasing plasma insulin in rats. There is also no increase in degree of degranulation of the beta cells of pancreas. In similar conditions it does not show any effect on activity of adrenal gland. However, thyroid gland undergoes activation at the later stage (delayed response). It appears that hypoglycemic response of I. racemosa is not due to enhanced secretion/synthesis of insulin; the action may be at the peripheral level by potentiating the insulin sensitivity.