Comparative Studies of the Aqueous Extracts of OcimumGratissimum, Aloe Vera, Brassica Oleraceaand Ipomoea Batatas on Some Biochemical Parameters in Diabetic Rats

Abstract

The current orthodox treatment modalities for diabetic mellitus have many setbacks including undesirable side effects and the high cost of long term treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the anti-diabetic effectsand compare some biochemical parameters of four plants; Ocimumgratissimum (OG),Aloe vera (AV), Brassica oleracea(BO) and Ipomoea batatas(IB) on alloxan induced diabetic rats. The preliminary phytochemical screening reveals the presence ofalkaloid, tannin, cardiac glycoside, resin and steroids in all four plants. Diabetic was induced by interperitonial injection of alloxan monohydrate while treatment was done for 21 days. Diabetic rats had significant increased (P˂0.05)cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and artherogenic index (AI). Treatment of experimental rats with 150 mg/kg bw. of aqueous extractsof plants significantly decrease (P˂0.05) the levels of cholesterol and LDL in OG and BO treated groups when compare with the control. Computed artherogenic index was significantly reduced (P˂0.05) in AV treated group when compared to the control. Aqueous extracts also significantly (P˂0.05) alter serum concentrations of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in a similar manner with metformin treated group. Result showed that decrease in plasma glucose was in the order IB˃OG˃BO˃AV. All plant extracts possess antidiabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic effects and were able to ameliorate the weight loss observed in diabetic rats.