Glucose Lowering Effect of Basil Leaves in Diabetic Rats

BACKGROUND: The incidence of diabetes and its complications has risen since the last decades, and it has been predicted that the prevalence of diabetes will be double in the coming year. Chronic hyperglycemia marked as elevated advanced glycation end products plays an important role in complications of diabetes. Basil leaves (Ocimum basilicum) originating from India and commonly found in Southeast Asia, is widely used empirically to decrease the blood sugar in diabetic patients. AIM: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of extract ethanol of Basil leaves in diabetic rats. METHODS: This is an experimental study; Streptozotocin was used to induce type 2 diabetic rats. Thirty Wistar male rats were divided into six groups (normal group, group treated with metformin 45 mg/kg body weight, group treated with Basil leaves 100 mg/kg body weight, 200 mg/kg body weight, 400 mg/kg body weight, control diabetic group). The blood glucose level was measured before induction and after treatment at week 1 and 4. Advanced glycation end products were measured in all groups at week 4. RESULTS: Extract ethanol of basil leaves 100, 200, 400 mg/body weight all showed significant lowering blood glucose level (p < 0.001) compared to diabetic group without treatment, but did not show superior to metformin group (p = 0.17), advanced glycation end products did not show statistical significance between group with normal rats and group of diabetic rats treated with basil leaves 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg (p = 0.12, p = 0.33, p = 0.26). CONCLUSION: Extract ethanol of basil leaves showed good results in lowering blood glucose and advanced glycation end products in diabetic rats.