Evaluation of blood glucose lowering activity of three plant diet additives

Abstract The hypoglycemic effect of three orally administered agents of plant origin, Eugenia jambolana, Lupinus termis and Peganum harmala, was investigated in both normal and streptozocin-induccd diabetic rats, and the results were compared to those obtained using the sulfonylurea, gliben-clamide. Lupinus termis exerted a significant hypoglycemic effect in non-diabetic and streptozotocin diabetic rats without apparent side effects. Eugenia jambolana treated rats exhibited aggressive behavior in addition to hypoglycemia. Peganum harmala resulted in high mortality and a moribund state and its use should be discouraged.