Effect of feeding Gymnema sylvestre leaves on blood glucose in beryllium nitrate treated rats.

The feeding of powdered leaves of Gymnema sylvestre in the diet of rats for 10 days prior and 15 days after i.v. beryllium nitrate significantly protected the animals from the full fall of blood glucose seen in rats receiving beryllium nitrate alone. The feeding of the leaves for 25 days to normal rats did not alter blood glucose significantly. The leaves may contain a principle that could be useful as a prophylactic against beryllium toxicity.