OBJECTIVE In Indian traditional system of medicine, Ficus religiosa (Family Moraceae) is prescribed for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. In the present study, the antidiabetic effect of aqueous extract of Ficus religiosa bark (FRAE) was investigated in normal, glucose-loaded hyperglycemic and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS Oral administration of FRAE at the doses of 25, 50 and 100mg/kg was studied in normal, glucose-loaded and STZ-diabetic rats. RESULTS The three doses caused significant reduction in blood glucose levels in all the models. The effect was more pronounced in 50 and 100mg/kg than 25mg/kg. FRAE also showed significant increase in serum insulin, body weight and glycogen content in liver and skeletal muscle of STZ-induced diabetic rats while there was significant reduction in the levels of serum triglyceride and total cholesterol. FRAE also showed significant antilipidperoxidative effect in the pancreas of STZ-induced diabetic rats. The antidiabetic effect of Ficus religiosa was compared with glibenclamide, a well-known hypoglycemic drug. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that aqueous extract of Ficus religiosa bark possesses significant antidiabetic activity.