EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF SCENT LEAF (Ocimum gratissimum) ON LIPID PROFILE IN ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus and its dyslipidemic complications pose significant global health challenges, particularly in resource-limited settings where affordable treatments are scarce. Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaf), traditionally used for diabetes management, requires scientific validation of its effects on lipids. This study evaluated the methanolic extract's impact on fasting plasma glucose and lipid profile in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Thirty rats were divided into six groups: normal control, diabetic control, metformin (500 mg/kg), and extract-treated groups (250, 500, 750 mg/kg). Diabetes was induced with alloxan (150 mg/kg), followed by 14 days of treatment. The LD50 exceeded 5000 mg/kg, confirming safety. The extract significantly reduced fasting glucose in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05), with 750 mg/kg showing optimal efficacy. Lipid levels improved significantly: total cholesterol decreased from 170.80±0.86 to 131.40±1.12 mg/dL, triglycerides from 131.40±1.70 to 90.80±0.58 mg/dL, LDL from 97.80±0.37 to 67.20±1.16 mg/dL, and atherogenic index from 0.46±0.01 to 0.28±0.01, while HDL increased. Strong positive correlations existed between fasting glucose and atherogenic lipids (r=0.68-0.79, p<0.01). The methanolic extract of Ocimum gratissimum demonstrates potent antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects comparable to metformin. Further studies should focus on isolating active phytochemicals and conducting long-term toxicity assessments for potential clinical development as an affordable diabetes therapy.