Flavonoid identification and hypoglycaemic studies of the butanol fraction from Gynura procumbens

The methanol extract of the leaves of Gynura procumbens was partitioned between chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. Qualitative HPLC identification of the major flavonoid constituents in the n-butanol fraction and separation of standard mixture of isolated compounds from the n-butanol fraction are given. Blood glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats were reduced by the administration of 1 g/kg of the n-butanol fraction. The results were compared with glibenclamide used as standard drug. The fraction produced no significant effect in normal rats.