Abstract

• Thunbergia laurifolia Lindl. is commonly known as Rang Chuet belongs to the family Acanthaceae and Myanmar name is pan-ye-sut-nwe. The plant samples were collected from DaikU Township, Bago Region. The present work was done to investigate the acute toxicity and hypoglycemic activity. The acute toxicity study of watery extracts of Thunbergia laurifolia Lindl. leaves were carried on albino mice by using OECD guideline 423 method. There were no lethality and toxic effect of the albino mice observed up to the dose of 5 g/kg body weight during observation period of two weeks. Hypoglycemic activity of watery extract of the leaves of Thunbergia laurifolia Lindl. were tested on adrenaline-induced hyperglycemic rats by the method of Agrawal & Paridhavia, 2007. The rats with watery extract (0.75 g/kg and 1.5 g/kg) showed significant decrease in blood glucose concentration at 2 hr, 3 hr and 4 hr (p<0.01- p<0.001) whereas watery extract (3 g/kg) showed significant decrease in blood glucose concentration at 3 hr (p<0.05) and 4 hr (p<0.01). The results indicated that watery extracts of the leaves possessed significant hypoglycemic effect on adrenaline-induced hyperglycemic rats. From the experimental data, it can be concluded that Thunbergia laurifolia Lindl. could be used as potential herbal medicine for hypoglycemic activities. It also can be safe to eat the leaves of Thunbergia laurifoliaLindl. because the leaves are non-toxic.