Hypoglycemic Effect of Ocimum Lamiifolium in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Mice

Arika Wm,Rachuonyo Ho

doi:10.4172/2167-0412.1000228

Abstract

Plant remedies are the mainstay of treatment in underdeveloped regions owing to the side effects, unavailability and unaffordability of the conventional therapy. Among the traditional plants that have been used as an alternative therapy for diabetes mellitus is Ocimum lamiifolium, however, it has received limited scientific and medical evaluation to assess its efficacy. In this study, the in vivo hypoglycemic activity of aqueous leaf extracts of this plant was determined in male swiss white albino mice. The antidiabetic activity was screened in alloxan induced diabetic mice using oral and intraperitoneal routes. The phytochemical composition was assessed using standard procedures. The extract showed hypoglycemic activity at dose levels of 25, 48.4, 93.5, 180.9, and 350 mg/kg body weight. The extracts contained tannins, sterols, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, and alkaloids. The observed hypoglycemic activity could be associated with the phytochemicals present in this plant extract.

Highlights

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major public health problem with an estimated global incidence of 382 million diabetics by 2014 and this number is expected to increase to over 592 million people in less than 25 years [1]
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia resulting from defects in insulin metabolism and impaired function in carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism that leads to long-term complications [2]
Administered aqueous leaf extracts of O. lamiifolium decreased the blood glucose levels at all the five doses of 25, 48.4, 93.5, 180.9 and 350 mg/kg body weight (Table 1 and Figure 1). This occurred in two phases, in the first one hour the extract caused a steep decline in blood glucose levels, followed by a steady decline up to the seventh hour

Summary

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major public health problem with an estimated global incidence of 382 million diabetics by 2014 and this number is expected to increase to over 592 million people in less than 25 years [1]. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia resulting from defects in insulin metabolism and impaired function in carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism that leads to long-term complications [2]. Obesity and physical inactivity are responsible for spreading this epidemic into the developing countries [3]. Diabetes mellitus may present with characteristic symptoms such as thirst, polyuria, blurring of vision, and weight loss [4]. In its most severe forms, ketoacidosis or a non-ketotic hyperosmolar state may develop and lead to stupor, coma and, in absence of effective treatment, death. Often symptoms are not severe, or may be absent, and hyperglycemia of sufficient degree to cause pathological and functional changes may be present for a long time before the diagnosis is made [4]. Among the complications associated with diabetes mellitus include microvascular complications which mainly affect the retina, kidney and peripheral nervous system and may progress to more overt serious complications, and macrovascular complications, mainly atherosclerosis, that may lead to cerebrovascular ischemia and stroke [3,4]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion