Abstract:
The whole plant of Phyllanthus debilis Linn. (Euphorbiaceae) is used in Sri Lanka for the treatment of diabetes
mellitus. However, hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic activity of this plant has not been scienti!cally
validated. The present study was carried out to examine the antidiabetic potential of P. debilis. Aqueous
plant extract (APE) of P. debilis was prepared and normoglycemic mice were orally treated either with 3
doses (497.5, 995, or 1990 mg/kg) of APE, tolbutamide (33.5 mg/kg) or distilled water (control), and fasting
and random blood glucose levels were determined. In addition, the toxicity of the APE was examined using
chronic administration. In normoglycemic mice, high dose (1990 mg/kg) of APE signi!cantly lowered the
fasting blood glucose level in a dose-dependent manner. Further, APE markedly improved the oral glucose
and sucrose tolerance tests up to 5 h post-treatment. The improvement of the glucose tolerance test was
dose-dependent. In addition, APE signi!cantly inhibited glucose absorption from the small intestine. The
APE did not induce any overt toxic signs, hepatotoxicity, or renotoxicity. However, the total red blood cell
count and serum HDL level were signi!cantly increased. It can be concluded that APE of P. debilis possesses
safe, immediate oral antidiabetic activity and its action is mediated via multiple mechanisms. The results of
this study scienti!cally justi!ed the claims made in the Sri Lankan Ayurvedic system regarding the therapeutic
uses of the P. debilis in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
