Study of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L) and its Mechanism of Action on Type 2 Diabetes

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease with life threatening complications such as diabetic retinopathy, renal failure and cardiovascular disease. Metformin, Glibenclamide, Acarbose, Empagliflozin, Sitagliptin and Repaglinide are the most common drugs for reducing the blood glucose. The blood glucose-lowering drugs have side effects such as severe hypoglycemia, liver cell damage, lactic acidosis, permanent neurological defects, gastrointestinal disorders, headache, and dizziness. Hence, it is necessary to use safe and effective strategies for reducing blood glucose in the management of diabetes and related diseases. Therefore, in the recent years, medicinal plants have been used all over the world due to their wide therapeutic effects. Basil (O. basilicum) is one of the medicinal plants with anti-diabetic property. This article aimed to review of the Basil effects on the type 2 diabetes. Conclusion: O. basilicum has significant role in the control of diabetes through different mechanisms. These include: inhibition of glucose production in the liver, increasing glycogen synthesis, decreasing gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis, stimulation of insulin secretion by the pancreas, and inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes. Therefore, Basil and its biologically active compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids and polyphenols act as potent anti-diabetic agents.