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.