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Background Anogeissus latifolia Wall. (A. latifolia) bark has been traditionally used in the treatment of various diseases which includes diabetes and general debility. The present study was aimed to investigate the comparative hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of various extracts of A. latifolia bark in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic rats. Methods Acute toxicity was carried out at 2 g/kg dose of petroleum ether extract of A. latifolia bark (PEALB), chloroform extract of A. latifolia bark (CEALB) and methanol extract of A. latifolia bark (MEALB) in rats. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ, 60 mg/kg, i.p.) and it was confirmed at 72 h. Diabetic rats received above extracts at 100 and 200 mg/kg doses for 28 days. Body weight and blood glucose level were determined at every week after the treatment schedule. Serum biochemical parameters and lipid profile levels were estimated at the end of the study. Results PEALB, CEALB and MEALB were non-toxic and no death was observed at 2 g/kg dose. Administration of MEALB at 100 and 200 mg/kg showed significant (p< 0.01, p< 0.05) improvement in body weight and reduction in blood glucose at third and fourth week of treatment. Altered serum biochemical parameters and lipid profiles level were brought to near normal level significantly (p<0.001) compared to diabetic control rats after the administration of both doses of MEALB. However, PEALB and CEALB did not exhibit significant hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity. Conclusions Our findings revealed that long-term (28 days) treatment of MEALB possesses significant hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity compared to PEALB and CEALB in type 1 diabetic rats and given evidence to the traditional use of A. latifolia bark in diabetes.