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The antidiabetic activity of aqueous, ethanolic and hexanic extracts of Bauhinia forficata was investigated in a model of alloxan-induced diabetes in rats. The biochemical parameters studied were: plasma glucose, serum triglycerides, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), and low density lipoprotein (LDL). Extracts were administered daily for 7 d at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o., 48 h after alloxan injection (60 mg/kg, i.v.). The alloxan-diabetic rats showed significant reductions in plasma glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol after treatment with the extracts and glibenclamide (used as standard) as compared to the diabetic controls. Levels of LDL were not altered. In conclusion, our results showed that the plant extracts when administered by gavage may reduce glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels. These results suggest the validity of the clinical use of B. forficata in the treatment of diabetes mellitus type II.

This work presents behavioral effects of yangambin isolated from the leaves of Ocotea duckei on open field, rota rod, barbiturate sleeping time, forced swimming and elevated plus maze test in mice. Yangambin was intraperitoneally administered to male mice at single doses of 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg. The results showed that yangambin in the doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg decreased the locomotor activity and the number of rearing. However, no change was observed in the rota rod test between the yangambin groups as compared to the control group. Reduction on the sleep latency and a prolongation of the sleeping time induced by pentobarbital was observed only with the yangambin dose of 50 mg/kg. In the forced swimming test, yangambin (25 and 50 mg/kg) increased the immobility time. Yangambin, in the doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg, decreased the number of entries and the time of permanence in the open arms of the elevated plus maze test. However, this effect can not be related to anxiogenic effects, but to a decrease in locomotor activity. The results showed that yangambin presents a depressant activity in the open field, forced swimming and pentobarbital sleeping time tests. These effects probably were not due to peripheral neuromuscular blockade, since there was no alteration on the rota rod test. Also, no anxiolytic effect was observed after the treatment with yangambin.

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