Effect of Ocimum sanctum against alloxan induced diabetes and biochemical alterations in rats

Diabetes is a group of metabolic disease and associated with impaired glucose metabolism, resulting from defect in insulin secretion, action and both. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the insulin secretion and anti-oxidative potential of Ocimum sanctum extract in diabetic rats. The results showed that extensive oxidative stress is generated in tissues of diabetic rats, increased the production of blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, SGOT, SGPT, ALP and bilirubin, oxidative stress and decreased insulin secretion. Herbal medicines are widely used because of their effectiveness, no side effect and low cost. Treatment with aqueous suspension of Ocimum sanctum decrease serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, SGOT, SGPT, ALP and bilirubin level in diabetic group as compared with control group. Aqueous suspension of Ocimum sanctum showed antidiabetic activity against diabetes. suspension of Ocimum sanctum significantly decreases in the level of blood glucose, lipid profile and oxidative stress with a concomitant increase in glycogen and protein in diabetic rats [18]. This extracts also increased in insulin secreation and regeneration of β islets cells. The present study was aim to investigate that the potential of aqueous suspension of Ocimum sanctum against alloxan induced diabetic rats, compared to normal control and diabetic control rats. Materials and methods Plant material: The fresh leaves of Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) were collected from botanical garden in school of studies in Botany, jiwaji University, Gwalior. Aqueous suspension of Ocimum sanctum was prepared each day freshly. Experimental animal: Male albino rats of Wistar strain (weight 120 ± 20g) was used in the proposed study. Animals were obtained from the animal facilities of Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior, India, and were maintained under controlled conditions of temperature (25° ± 2°C), relative humidity of (50 ± 15%), and normal photoperiod (light-dark cycle of 12 hrs) in the animal room of our department on standard pellet diet and tap water ad libitum. Animals were housed throughout the experiment in polypropylene cages (with each cage housing six animals) containing paddy husk as bedding and allowed to acclimatize to the environment of animal room for 7 days before the start of experiment. Animals were handled, ethically treated as per the rules and instructions of Ethical Committee of Animal Care (Ref No. IAEC/JU/2012/01) of Jiwaji University, Gwalior, India, in accordance with the Indian National law on animal care and use. Correspondence to: Nalini Srivastava, School of Studies in Biochemistry, Jiwaji University, Gwalior 474 011, India, Tel: 09977710704; E-mail: [email protected]