Abstract
The leaf juice of Catharanthus roseus and the seed powder of fenugreek were tested for their hypoglycemic action individually and in combination in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. Blood glucose was determined in all the groups before and after treatment with Catharanthus roseus and fenugreek at doses of 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0ml/kg and 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg, respectively, at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 h after being fasted for 18 h. The effect was found to be dose-dependent with both the treatments at the doses administered. The percentage blood glucose reduction produced by the combination of Catharanthus roseus (0.5 ml/kg) and fenugreek (50mg/kg) was more than the sum of their individual percent blood glucose reduction in both normal and diabetic rabbits, suggesting that the combination produced a synergistic action.