Project Abstract

Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, action, or both. Alloxan is a chemical compound commonly used to induce diabetes in experimental animals due to its selective cytotoxic effect on pancreatic beta cells. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of methanol leaf extracts of Ocimum gratissimum on oxidative and biochemical parameters in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Alloxan-induced diabetic rats were orally administered with methanol leaf extracts of Ocimum gratissimum at different doses for 28 days. Blood samples were collected to evaluate various biochemical parameters such as blood glucose levels, lipid profile, liver function markers, kidney function markers, and antioxidant enzyme activities. The results showed a significant reduction in blood glucose levels in diabetic rats treated with methanol leaf extracts of Ocimum gratissimum compared to the diabetic control group. The extracts also improved lipid profile parameters, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol levels. Furthermore, the treatment with methanol leaf extracts of Ocimum gratissimum reversed the alterations in liver function markers, such as AST, ALT, and ALP levels, indicating a protective effect on liver function in diabetic rats. Additionally, the kidney function markers, including urea and creatinine levels, were restored to near-normal levels in the treated diabetic rats. The extracts also exhibited potent antioxidant activity by increasing the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in diabetic rats, thereby reducing oxidative stress damage. In conclusion, the methanol leaf extracts of Ocimum gratissimum demonstrated significant antidiabetic effects by improving oxidative and biochemical parameters in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The findings suggest that the extracts may possess potential therapeutic benefits in managing diabetes mellitus by modulating blood glucose levels, lipid profile, liver and kidney function markers, and antioxidant enzyme activities. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action and to evaluate the long-term effects and safety of these extracts for diabetic management.

Project Overview

INTRODUCTION

•  BACKGROUND OF STUDY

The use of Ocimum gratissimum leaf extract to treat Alloxan induced diabetic rat and its oxidative and biochemical parameter assessments.

            In Nigeria, especially in the southern part there is a consumption of plants extracts people consume. They also consume a lot of vegetable in their native diet and some of these plants are believed to cure some aliments. Ocimum gratissimum is one of the many found to lower glycaemia in Type-1 diabetes.

            Many components of food such as secondary plants metabolites have been seen to alter biological processes which may reduce the risk of some chronic diseases in human such as diabetes.

            Diabetes mellitus has its complications especially diabetes conditions among infected people, Ocimum gratissimum uses against various aliments has gained widespread acceptance in developing as well as developed nations (kolewale et al,. 2011). Diabetes mellitus is an important chronic metabolic disorder of public health concern, it occurs either as a result of pancreatic defects in insulin secretion or the failure of the effectively utilize secreted insulin or both. Hyperglycemia is a common consequence of uncontrolled diabetes, which may over time lead to serious damage to vascular tissue, heart, eye nerve and kidney.

            Plants with known and suspected therapeutic potencies have been longed used in the alternative and complementary medicine. Numerous scientific reports exist, describing the relatively low toxicity and effectiveness in selected plants in management of diabetes.

            Numerous scientific report exists, descending the relatively low toxicity and effectiveness of selected plants in the management of diabetes. It is unfortunate that a large number of those studies were conducted using either normoglycermeia or animal models.

 Inducing of diabetes using either >100mg/kg body weight of Alloxan into these animal models, with recent review showing that Alloxan was one of the most frequently used diabetogenic agent globally.

 High dose of the chemical are cytotoxic to the pancreatic beta cells giving rise to insulin deficiency.

•  STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The statement of the problem in this research work is that the efficacy of Ocimum gratissimum leaf extract through assaying of biochemical parameters of alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

VISION: To determine the effect Ocimum gratissimum methanol leaf extract has alloxan-induced diabetic rats through assaying of biochemical parameters.

ISSUE STATEMENT: Diabetes mellitus has become one of the prevailing health cases people face today, with no or little knowledge on how it can be controlled and managed, it could worsen beyond control and as far as oxidative damage is concerned, it would multiple the generation of free radicals.

METHODS: Apart from modern drugs that can be used to control and manage diabetes, the use of Ocimum gratissimum menthol leaf extract was employed in other to determine the effect on alloxan-induced diabetic rats through assaying of biochemical parameter.

1.3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVE

1.3.1 AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of the methanol leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum on the oxidative and biochemical parameter of alloxan –induced diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

Specifically, the study sort to:

1. Determine the effects of the extract on MDA level
2. Determine the effects of the extract on lipid profile
3. Determine the effects of the extract on antioxidant enzyme activity.