Abstract

• Costus speciosus (Koen.) Sm. is locally known as Phalan-taung-hmwe and belongs to the family Costaceae. The plant was collected from Hpa-an Township, Kayin State. In this study, the acute toxic study of 70% ethanolic extracts of rhizome of Costus speciosus (Koen.) Sm. was evaluated on albino mice by using method of OECD Guideline 423 (2001). There were no signs of toxicity and lethality of mice, even with the maximum dose of 5g/kg body weight of the extract during the observation period of 14 days. The hypoglycaemic activity of 70% ethanolic extracts of rhizome of Costus speciosus (Koen.) Sm. (1g/kg, 2g/kg and 4g/kg body weight) was also studied on adrenaline induced hyperglycaemic rats model by using the method of Gupta et al., (1967). The results showed that the extract at dose of 4g/kg showed significant hypoglycaemic effect at 2 hr, 3hr and 4 hr (p<0.001) when compare with control. Therefore 70% ethanolic extracts of rhizome of Costus speciosus (Koen.) Sm. had significant hypoglycaemic effect in rat model.