Ocimum basilicum alleviates blood glucose, lipid profile and iNOS in diabetes gestational rat model.

Abstract

Gestational diabetes (GDM) complications affect maternal and fetus in utero. GDM's vascular dysfunction showed inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) alteration and was linked to the higher production of nitrogen species, leading to diabetic embryopathy. Ocimum basilicum (O.basilicum) has been reported for its anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects. Thus, the present study investigates the anti-diabetic effect, lipid-lowering effect, and iNOS expression in GDM animal models treated with O.basilicum extract. Four groups of pregnant rats consist of control and GDM groups. One GDM group was set for control positive. Two GDM groups were treated with O.basilicum extract in two doses (100 and 200mg/kg BW) for 14days. Blood glucose of all groups was observed at 72h after STZ injection and 14days after administration of O.basilicum extract. Lipid profile and iNOS expression using real-time PCR were measured afterward. O.basilicum extract lowered blood glucose levels in both doses, from 262.60mg/dL±6.89-136.80mg/dL ±15.6mg/dL and 113.20mg/dL±5.25mg/dL. Total cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride showed a reduction, especially in200mg/kg BW dose extract from 122.37mg/dL ±14.84mg/dL, 69.75mg/dL±3.78mg/dL and 137.51mg/dL ±8.12-74.64mg/dL±8.71mg/dL, 40.26mg/dL±3.31mg/dL and 87.57mg/dL±6.29mg/dL, respectively. iNOS expression downregulated in both doses, from 2.17±0.39 to 0.94±0.3 and 0.41±0.08. This study showed that O.basilicum extract has a potential therapeutic activity in lowering blood glucose, improved lipid profile, and downregulating iNOS in GDM.