Contribution to understanding the acute hypoglycemic effect of traditionally used Eysenhardtia officinalis R.Cruz & M.Sousa.

[Display omitted] • The Eysenhardtia officinalis bark is traditionally used for the treatment of diabetes in the Hidalgo state of Mexico. • The ethanol-water extract of E. officinalis contains flavonoids; vitexin was isolated and identified. • E. officinalis did not exert an acute toxic effect and could manage fasting and postprandial hyperglycemia. • The hypoglycemic mechanisms identified were the gluconeogenesis inhibition and an increase in insulin sensitivity. • E. officinalis inhibited gluconeogenic rate-limiting enzymes glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]