Effect of Syzigium cumini extracts on hepatic hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase in experimental diabetes

Syzigium cumini commonly known as Jamun, is widely used in Indian folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes. Oral administration of 2.5 g/kg body weight of the aqueous extract of Jamun seed for 1 month resulted in an increase in the activity of hexokinase and a decrease in the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase in the liver of alloxan dosed diabetic animals. The results also show that there was a decrease in the leakage of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase in the serum of these animals. The effect exerted by Jamun seed was more prominent than that of glibenclamide. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.