In vitro and in vivo anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant activities of methanolic leaf extracts of Ocimum canum

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder with a highly complex, multifaceted and intricate etiologies and thus may require management options that proffers multimodal mechanism of action. This present study evaluated the antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of the methanolic extract/fractions of leaves of Ocimum canum. METHODS: The antidiabetic potential was evaluated and using STZ-induced diabetic Wistar rat model (in vivo) and inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity (in vitro). Antioxidant activity was assessed in vitro by free radical scavenging and reducing power assays and in vivo via monitoring SOD and CAT activities; GSH and MDA levels. RESULTS: The total phenolic content (221.0±3.0 mg catechol/g of sample) and tannins (146.0±4.0 mg tannic acid/g of sample) of the crude extract; and flavonoid of the aqueous-methanol fraction (216.0.0±1.0 mg of rutin/g of sample) were found to be significantly higher relative to others. The crude extract and the aqueous-methanol fraction exhibited a significantly (p<0.05) higher percentage reduction in fasting blood glucose and a concomitant increase in serum insulin level relative to the diabetic control group. The highest radical scavenging activity and reducing power were observed in the aqueous-methanol fraction. The aqueous-methanol solvent fraction also significantly reversed the alterations in oxidative stress markers occasioned by the diabetic condition. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the result of the present study has demonstrated evidently that extracts of Ocimum canum leaves ameliorates hyperglycemia and the associated oxidative stress in STZ-induced rats.