Abstract
The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of aqueous extracts of Ocimum sanctum L. leaves on blood glucose, serum lipid profile and anti-oxidative activity to protect various risk organs in DM rats. Ocimum sanctum L. leaves were extracted using water, then the total phenolic content was determined. Three groups of male Wistar rats were used including normal control rats, DM rats and DM rats daily fed with aqueous extracts of Ocimum sanctum L. leaves (AQOS) for three weeks. DM rats were induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kgbw). The results show that three weeks of diabetic induction increased blood glucose, serum lipid profile and serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, CK-MB, creatinine and BUN. AQOS significantly decreased blood glucose, serum lipid profile and serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, CK-MB, creatinine and BUN. The low level of serum insulin was also raised by AQOS. AQOS suppressed high TBARS level and raised the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the liver, kidney and cardiac tis- sues. Histopathological results show that AQOS preserved the liver, kidney and myocardial tissues. It can be concluded that AQOS had anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic, and free radical sca- venging effects providing organ protection from diabetes. The phenolic compounds contained in AQOS might be responsible for these activities.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by high blood glucose levels, and often associated with dyslipdemia and oxidative stress which can affect nearly every organ systems in the body
Food intake was significantly increased in DM rats, and was slightly lowered at the third week in DM rats treated with AQOS
Serum insulin level was significantly decreased in DM rats but it was significantly raised in DM rats treated with AQOS (Table 1)
Summary
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by high blood glucose levels, and often associated with dyslipdemia and oxidative stress which can affect nearly every organ systems in the body. To treat DM, hypoglycemic drugs, especially insulin, are recommended Their undesirable side effects, cost, safety on long-term use, and simplicity of administration have been an issue [4]. OS leaves possess antihyperglycemic activity and organ protective effect against various stress conditions such as hyperlipidemia [13], inflammation [14] carcinogens [15], heavy metal [16] [17] and isoproterenal-induced myocardial necrosis [18]. Since our previous study showed that OS leaf powder in the diet reduced blood glucose and serum marker enzymes of liver and kidney function in streptozotocin-induced DM rats [9]. The present study was conducted to elucidate anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-oxidative activities to protect various vital organs in DM rats treated with aqueous extracts of OS leaves
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