Albizzia lebbeck Benth (Family: Leguminosae) (A. lebbeck) is
a deciduous tree with compound leaves, flat oblong fruits,
round cream colored seeds, and grows wild. Barks are used
in toothache and diseases of the gum. Decoction of the
leaves and barks are protective against bronchial asthma
and other allergic disorders. Barks and seeds are astringent,
and are given in piles and diarrhea. Ethanolic extract of
pods possesses antiprotozoal, hypoglycemic and anticancer
properties[5]. Mucuna pruriens Linn. (Family: Fabaceae) (M.
pruriens) is one of the popular drug in Ayurvedic system
of medicine[6]. Various preparations from the seeds of this
plant are used for the management of several free radical
mediated diseases such as ageing, rheumatoid arthritis,
diabetes, atherosclerosis, male infertility and nervous
disorders[7]. The present study was undertaken to verify the
antidiabetic potential of seeds of M. pruriens and bark of A.
lebbeck using various in vitro techniques as an attempt to
explore their mechanism of action.