International Journal of PharmTech Research CODEN (USA): IJPRIF ISSN : 0974-4304 Vol. 3, No.1, pp 136-139, Jan-Mar 2011 Anti-Diabetic activity of Dodonaea viscosa (L) Leaf Extracts P.Muthukumran 1 * V.Hazeena Begumand ,P.Kalaiarasan 1 Meenakshi chandrasekaran arts and science college, Pattukkottai 614 601, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu,India Department of SiddhaMedicine, Faculty of Science,Tamil University, Vakaiyur, Thanjavur - 613 010, Tamilnadu, India *Corres. Author: muthubabi_p@yahoo.co.in Abstract: The different extracts of the Dodonaea viscosa (L). (Family- Sapindaceae) were tested for anti-diabetic activity, by glucose tolerance test in normal rats and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Aqueous ethanol and butanol extracts had shown significant protection and lowered the blood glucose levels to normal in glucose tolerance test. In alloxan induced diabetic rats the maximum reduction in blood glucose was observed after 3h at a dose level of 250 mg/kg of body weight. The percentage protections by aqueous ethanol and butanol extracts were 30 and 48% respectively. In long term treatment of alloxan induced diabetic rats, the degree of protection was determined by measuring blood glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and urea levels on 0,3,5,7 and 10th day. Both the extracts showed a significant anti- diabetic activity comparable with that of glibenclamide.. These results indicate that the Dodonaea viscosa (L).extracts possess significant anti – diabetic activity. Key words: Anti-Diabetic activity ,Dodonaea viscosa (L) ,Rats Glucose , glibenclamide. Introduction Diabetes mellitus is a major disease characterized by derangement in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism, affecting nearly 10% of the population. In the recent past many hypoglycemic agents are introduced, still the diabetes and the related complications continue to be a major medical problem not only in developed countries but also in developing countries. Many Indian medicinal plants are reported to be useful in diabetes[1,2]. However, search for new anti-diabetic drugs continue. Dodonaea viscosa (L). Jacq., (Family: Sapindaceae) popularly known as aliar and vilayati mehandi in India, is an evergreen shrub abundantly growing in Western Ghats of Karnataka, India. This species has been used in traditional ayurvedic system of medicine to heal simple ulcer, fracture [3], soreness, and snakebite pain, relief of gum and teeth pain [4]. Experimental studies have demonstrated antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory [5], anti-ulcer [6], wound healing [7], local anaesthetic and smooth muscle relaxant activities of the title plant [8].The present study was undertaken to verify the claim and evaluate the anti-diabetic property of the extracts Dodonaea viscosa (L). Materials and Methods Preparation of extracts The leaf of Dodonaea viscosa was collected from Vriddhachalam Cuddalore (District) Tamil nadu. The collected leaf were cut into small pieces and shade dried at room temperature. The dried powder (5-kg) was extracted with 80% aqueous ethyl alcohol by maceration process for 3 days. The concentrated aqueous ethanol extract (113 g) was suspended in water and fractionated with butyl alcohol (4x500 ml) and yielded of butanol extract, (16.57g). Test animals Male wistar albino rats (160 – 200 g) were used in the experiment. Animals maintained under standard environmental conditions, were fed with a standard diet (Hindustan Lever, India) and water ad libitum.