Abstract
The hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effects of the aqueous extract of Ocimum basilicum (OB) whole plant were investigated in normal and streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. After a single oral administration, OB significantly reduced blood glucose levels in normal (p<0.01) and diabetic rats (p<0.001). After 15 days of repeated oral administration, OB produced a potent reduction on blood glucose levels (p<0.001) in diabetic rats and a less reduction in normal rats (p<0.05). Total plasma cholesterol and triglycerides levels were significantly reduced after repeated oral administration in diabetic rats (p<0.001) and (p<0.05) respectively. However, no change was observed in total plasma cholesterol and triglycerides levels in normal rats after both single and repeated oral administration. In addition, plasma insulin levels and body weight remained unchanged over 15 days of oral administration in normal and diabetic rats. We conclude that the aqueous extract of OB exhibits potent anti-hyperglycaemic and hypolipidemic activities in diabetic rats without affecting basal plasma insulin concentrations.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus is taking place as serious disease with burden financial cost[1]
In addition to correction of blood glucose levels, several hypoglycaemic plants are potential in ameliorating lipid metabolism abnormalities of diabetes mellitus[7]
A significant decrease in blood glucose levels was observed since from the second hour after a single administration (p
Summary
Diabetes mellitus is taking place as serious disease with burden financial cost[1]. In addition to elevated blood glucose levels, diabetes is generally accompanied with lipid metabolism abnormality communally known as diabetic dyslipidemia[4]. The control of diabetic dyslipidemia did not always accompany the control of blood glucose levels[5]. More than 1200 plants species are world wild used in diabetes phytotherapy and experimental studies support the hypoglycaemic activity of a large number of these plants[6]. In addition to correction of blood glucose levels, several hypoglycaemic plants are potential in ameliorating lipid metabolism abnormalities of diabetes mellitus[7]. The study of plant hypoglycaemic and hypoglipidemic activities may give new pharmacological approach in the treatment of diabetes mellitus[8]
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