Antihyperglycemic and cardiometabolic effects of Ocimum gratissimum leaf extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) have become a disease of Global interest due to varieties of associated complications and economic implications. Scientific-based efforts are intensified on discovering economic friendly and non-toxic plant-based phytochemicals with efficient antihyperglycemic activities globally. This study assesses the antihyperglycemic and modifying potentials of aqueous Ocimum gratissimum leaf extract on histone deacetylases and cardiometabolic indices in streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Forty Wistar rats weighing 200-250g were selected randomly and induced for DM using 60mg/kg body weight streptozotocin administered intraperitoneally and dosed with the extract for 42 days. Fasting blood samples were collected daily from the tail vein of each rat and on day 42 for glucose, hepatorenal indices, lipid profile, malondialdehyde (MDA), total protein, albumin, urea, creatinine, bilirubin, aspartate amino transaminase (AST), alanine amino transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and histone deacetylase (HDAC) activities determination. Plasma globulin, LDL, VLDL, atherogenic and coronary risk indices were computed. Weight changes were also monitored weekly. A 3%, 19.4%, 0.84%, 26.7%, and 1.3% weight decrease was observed in extract-treated (100 and 200 mg/kg), glibenclamide-treated, diabetic untreated, and normoglycemic groups respectively. A significant increase (p<0.05) in plasma glucose, AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, AI, CRI, MDA, and HDAC activities; a significant decrease (p<0.05) in plasma HDL was observed in the diabetic untreated group. This study revealed that Ocimum gratissimum leaf exhibits antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic properties; improves atherogenic risks and modifies HDAC activities in streptozotocin diabetes.