Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus by Ocimum canum

Investigate the antihyperglycemic and antioxidant properties of the extracts of Ocimum canum leaves in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Hyperglycemia was induced in rats by streptozotocin (STZ, 45 mg/kg body weight). Three days after STZ induction, diabetic rats received Ocimum extract 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg body weight daily for 28days. Glibenclamide (600 ¿gm/kg) served as reference. Blood glucose levels were measured on every 7th day during 28 days. Serum biochemical parameters such as low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), atherogenic index and the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were estimated. Antioxidant enzymes like (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), serum thiobarbituric (TBAR) were measured in the diabetic rats. Therefore, Ocimum canum demonstrated remarkable antidiabetic activity in STZ induced diabetic rats. The potential antidiabetic action is possible due to its modulation of endogenous antioxidant status.