Hypoglycemic, Hypolipidemic and Antioxidant Activities of Ocimum gratissimum Leaf Extract on Diabetic Rats

Aims: Ocimum gratissimum is a medicinal plant that has been traditionally used in the management of many diseases including diabetes mellitus. The aim of this research was to evaluate hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of Ocimum gratissimum leaf extracts on diabetic rats.

Study Design: Mention the design of the study here.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Science, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero, Kebbi State, Nigeria. Between february 2021 and June 2021.

Methodology: The phytochemical screening was carried out using standard procedures. The extract was administered orally (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight, for 21 days) to alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Hypoglycemic effects, change in body weight, lipid profile and antioxidant activities of diabetic rats treated with the extract were assessed and compared with normal, diabetic control and standard drug treated rats. Histological examination of the pancreas during 21 days of treatment was also carried out.

Results: The extract produced a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose level in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Significant differences were also observed in body weights, serum lipid profile and levels of antioxidant vitamins and enzymes of Ocimum gratissimum methanol extract treated diabetic rats, when compared with diabetic, normal and standard drug treated rats. Histopathological studies of the pancreas showed comparable regeneration of the cells by extract which were earlier necrosed by alloxan. Methanol leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum exhibit significant hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities in alloxan-induced diabetes in rats. The extract could be further processed towards the management of diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion: Ocimum gratissimum extract showed a promising good hypoglycemic effect, the extracts also exhibit hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities on diabetic rats. There was regeneration of pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Therefore at acute dose the extracts can serve as an alternative in the management of diabetes mellitus.