Antihyperglicemic capacity of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) leaves extracts coated with the marine fish scales derived nanochitosan

Abstract

Basil (Ocimum basillicum L.) is well-known as a medicinal plant and culinary herb because of its phytochemical contents. Crude extracts of basil leaves are of particular interest for health benefits, including in reducing blood glucose level. Nanochitosan is potentially applied to increase the efficacy of phytopharmaceuticals due to its low viscosity that easily absorbed by the tissues. This study was conducted to evaluate the antihyperglicemic capacity of basil leaf extracts when coated with nanochitosan. Nanochitosan was prepared from the parrot fish (Scarus sp) scales derived Chitosan by using the gelatin ionic method. Both chitosan and nanochitosan were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), SEM, particle sizing and heavy metals analyses. Extraction of basil leaves were performed by a maceration method using ethanol 96% and the extract was evaporated. Nanochitosan was then applied as coatings of the extracts, and the nanochitosan coated extract was separated from the solution by centrifugation. In vivo assay was applied using 24 male rats, which divided into extract treated groups and the control groups. All the animals were fasted for 12 h, but were allowed free access to water, before commencement of the experiments. Hyperglycemia condition was induced by a single intraperitoneal dose of 120 mg/kg. The rats were fasted for 12 h and blood was taken from the tail artery of the rats. The extract of basil leaves at the dose of 400, 800, 1000 mg/kgBW significantly lowered blood glucose level (P<0,05) of rat in hyperglycemic after 5 hours of extract administration. The efficacy of antihypeglicemic dose of basil leaves extracts coated with nanochitosan was found to be 400 mg/kgBW. Based on the result of the study, it is suggested that nanochitosan could increase the efficacy of phytopharmaceuticals.