Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Butea monosperma(Lamk.)Taub on blood glucose and lipid profiles in normal and diabetic human volunteers. This study indicated a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in 2 h post- prandial blood glucose (mg/dl) on 21st day in the diabetic subgroups treated with 2 g (194.2 ± 27.01 vs. 172.2 ± 20.37) and 3 g (203.0 ± 19.49 vs. 165.7 ± 48.83) of powdered B. monosperma (Lamk.)Taub. A significant decrease in total cholesterol (mg/dl) was observed in normal (179.75 ± 4.42 vs. 131.25 ± 8.5) and diabetic (219.2 ± 13.97 vs. 143.7 ± 12.93) subgroups on day 21st post treatment. Both normal (560.2 ± 13.14 vs. 393.7 ± 8.38 mg/dl) and diabetic groups (594.7 ± 8.60 vs. 431.2 ± 17.97 mg/dl) exhibited a significant decrease in total lipids on day 21st. This study indicates that B. monosperma (Lamk.)Taub might possess important hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties. 

Key words: Butea monosperma, diabetes, lipids, cholesterol, humans.