ANTIHYPERGLYCAEMIC PROPERTY OF OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM (SCENT LEAF) IN ALLOXAN INDUCED DIABETIC MODEL USING RATS.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. For centuries, many plants have been considered a fundamental source of potent antidiabetic drugs. Some of these plants include; Zingiber officinale, Panax ginseng, Acacia Arabica, Allium sativum. Herbal drugs such as Ocimum gratissimum leaves have also been traditionally used for the management of diabetes in different parts of Nigeria and Africa. However, further evaluation of the antidiabetic activity of Ocimum gratissimum and its comparison to the antidiabetic activity of Metformin is needed. AIM: The aim of the study is to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of methanolic leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum in alloxan induced diabetic wistar albino rat. METHODOLOGY: Fresh leaves of Ocimum gratissimum were collected, washed, air dried, pulverized using a mechanical grinder. The powder which weighed 850 grams was macerated in 2550 ml of methanol for 72 hours. It was further filtered with the aid of a number 1 whatman filter paper. The filtrate was placed in a water bath at 50°C, to allow for evaporation. The extract gotten weighed 10.7 gram and was stored in a refrigerator. Phytochemical screening and in-vivo antidiabetic evaluations of the leaves were done using standard methods. RESULTS: The acute toxicity study of Ocimum gratissimum plant extract showed no record of mortality. Also, the result of the phytochemical screening (qualitative analysis) showed the presence of tannins, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, terpenoids and steroids in the plant, thus confirming its therapeutic potentials. The extract showed a significant decrease in the blood glucose 7 days after treatment when compared to the 10mg/kg 10% tween 20, with the 500 mg/kg showing to be slightly effective than the 250 mg/kg and the 250 mg/kg proved to be more effective than the 10 mg/kg 10% Tween 20 although all produced a significant decrease in blood glucose level. However, the metformin showed significant decrease when compared to the extract, suggesting that it has a more potent antidiabetic effect when compared to the extract. CONCLUSION: Ocimum gratissimum was found to have significant antidiabetic properties. Its effect was found to be comparable to metformin; a drug widely employed for the treatment of diabetes. These findings provided a scientific support for the traditional use of this plant in the treatment of diabetes diseases. It is recommended that Ocimum gratissimum should be used as an adjunct to other hypoglycaemic medications.