The antidiabetic activity of various subfractions of the alcohol extract of the bark of Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. was evaluated in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The effect of these extracts on lipid profile and liver function tests were also assessed to evaluate their activity in controlling diabetes related metabolic alterations. The parameters measured were plasma glucose, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase, SGOT and SGPT. The results indicate the effective role of Pterocarpus marsupium on the above mentioned parameters indicating that Pterocarpus marsupium can also control the diabetes related metabolic alterations apart from controlling the glucose levels. Among the fractions tested the butanol subfraction was found to be more active in comparison with other subfractions. It can be concluded that the butanol subfraction of the alcohol extract of Pterocarpus marsupium exhibits significant antidiabetic activity and corrects the metabolic alterations in diabetic rats and this activity may resemble insulin-like properties.

Alcoholic extract of Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) was evaluated for preliminary identification of phytoconstituents and screened at 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg b.w given orally for pylorus ligated and indomethacin induced gastric ulcer models in albino rats. Results showed the presence of flavonoids and proteins. Alcoholic extracts at 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg showed significant (p<0.001) antiulcer activity, comparable to the standard drug ranitidine, which may be due to the presence of flavonoids.

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Various fractions of the alcoholic extract of the roots of SALACIA MACROSPERMA were evaluated for their antidiabetic activity in alloxan-diabetic rats by estimating various biochemical parameters in blood, viz. glucose, proteins, lipids, cholesterol, and free fatty acids, after oral administration for 8 days. From the data obtained, it is concluded that the methanolic fraction followed by the residual fraction of the alcoholic extract exhibited significant antidiabetic activity. These biofractions were able to correct the metabolic abberations in diabetic rats. This activity may be due to their insulin-like properties.

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Callus cultures of Trigonella foenum-graecum contained 3 to 4 times more trigonelline than the seeds of this plant and 12 to 13 times more than the roots and shoots. Even higher levels of this alkaloid were produced by suspension cultures. This high productivity was maintained during successive subculturing of calli and cell suspensions for eight months. Thus, trigonelline is to be added to the group of the few metabolites whose synthesis in cell cultures exceeds its production in the differentiated plants. Media that had supported the growth of suspension cultures contained one third or more of the total alkaloid, whereas media of callus cultures contained about one tenth of this substance. Trigonelline accumulated in callus and suspension cultures with aging. Raising the level of nicotinic acid in the nutrient medium resulted in some increase of trigonelline production by the culture.