Anti-Oxidative, Anti-Hyperglycemic and Lipid-Lowering Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Ocimum sanctum L. Leaves in Diabetic Rats

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.