Anti-hyperglycaemic and Hypolipidemic Effects of Ocimum basilicum Aqueous Extract in Diabetic Rats

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.