Abstract:
Diabetes is a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels in the human body due to lack of insulin or its
insufficient production in the body. Its causes are genetics (Type 1) and inactivity (Type 2). In Kenya, over two
million people have diabetes, with more susceptibility to urban people due to the erosion of traditional living and
eating habits. The side effects of the conventional diabetes drugs are known but herbal drugs offer a suitable
alternative. Four herbal drug preparations used by herbalists from Eastern Province, Kenya, were tested for their in
vivo anti-diabetic activity in alloxan induced diabetes in Swiss albino rats. Glucose was administered to the rats
orally and the blood glucose levels measured after 30 minutes. Herbal drug extracts were then administered and
blood glucose levels monitored in intervals of 45 minutes for a period of 3 hours. The most active herbal drug
preparation lowered blood glucose level from the peak 190.8 ± 7.0 mg/dl to 111.0. ± 8.5 mg/dl, while the
conventional drug, Diamicron, lowered glucose levels from 190.8 ±7.5 mg/dl to 125.5 ± 2.1 mg/dl. These effects
were found not to be significantly different (p > 0.05). Hence, herbal drug alternatives were effective.
