Effect of ethanolic extract of Feronia elephantum Correa fruits on blood glucose levels in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Feronia elephantum Correa (Family — Rutaceae) commonly known as Wood apple has been widely used in Indian folk medicine for treatment of blood impurities, leucorrhoea, and as diuretic and liver tonic. It has not been studied experimentally for its blood glucose lowering potential earlier hence present study was conducted. Oral administration of 250mg/kg body weight of 95% ethanolic extract of unripe fruits significantly lowered the blood glucose levels of fasted, fed and streptozotocin-induced diabetic male albino rats. It also depressed the peak value in glucose loaded model. Further, study on histology of pancreatic β-cells granularity of normal rats was also done. Marked degranulation in β-cells of extract treated rats, associated with the blood glucose lowering was observed. Extract probably lowered the blood glucose concentrations by stimulating insulin secretogogue activity.