[Hypoglycemic activity of berberin and extract obtained from the bark of Phellodendron lavalei, introduced in sub tropic areas of Georgia].

The goal of this study was to evaluate hypoglycemic activity of Berberin and extract obtained from the bark of Phellodendron Lavalei, which is introduced in sub tropic areas of Georgia-Kobuleti. The study was carried out to reveal comparative hypoglycemic activity and acute toxicity of alkaloid Berberin and bark extract of Phellodendron Lavalei. Effects of Berberin hydrochloride and bark extract on blood glucose level was studied on mice. Measurement of blood glucose level was carried out on fasting animals using glucose meter "GlucoLab"--auto-coding. The study showed that Berberin hydrochloride dose 150 mg/kg, extract (obtained from the bark of Phellodendron Lavalei) dose 400 mg/kg and glybenclamid dose 0.25 mg/kg practically decreased blood glucose level of mice in a same pattern. Received data allows us to suggest that Phellodendron Lavalei, introduced in sub tropic areas of Georgia contains active hypoglycemic components. In conclusion the possible use of Phellodendron Lavalei as a plant raw material for obtaining hypoglycemic substances needs to be decided after further study of efficacy, mechanism of action of extracts and active components of Phellodendron Lavalei on experimental models of diabetes mellitus.