Aqueous extract of ocimum canum decreases levels of fasting blood glucose and free radicals and increases antiatherogenic lipid levels in mice

Abstract

The basis for managing diabetes mellitus with aqueous extract of Ocimum canum Sim (Lamiaceae), in Ghana was investigated in diabetic and normoglycemic mice. In the diabetic mice, fasting blood glucose decreased by 60% compared to 10% in control mice after 13 weeks of extract administration. Body weight, serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased while serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased in the extract-treated group. In vitro hydroxyl (OH) and superoxide (O2) radical formation, and lipid peroxidation of isolated human LDL and mouse liver homogenates decreased in extract-treated experimental systems. These findings justify the use of O. canum extract as an antidiabetic folk medicine