<i>Ocimum Gratissimum</i> Linn Causes Dose Dependent Hepatotoxicity in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

Abstract

Aim: Hepatoprotective effects of Ethanolic extract Ocimum gratissimum leaves (O. gratissimum) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was studied. Material and Methods:Thirty-six adult rats were assigned into six groups (A, B, C, D, E and F) of six rats each. Group A was the control, while diabetes was induced in groups B, C, D, E and F. Fasting blood glucose was determined and rats with blood glucose concentration >18.0 mmol/L were considered diabetic. Group A (non diabetic control) and F (diabetic control) received normal saline orally, group B received a Metformin at 25 mg/kg while groups C, D and E had O. gratissimum at 400, 600 and 800 mg/ kg. Treatment was daily for a period of 28 days for all groups. Fasting blood glucose was monitored weekly, serum levels of Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate transaminase (AST) were measured on day twenty eight. Animals were sacrificed, liver sections processed for histological study. Statistical analysis was carried out using a one way ANOVA followed by a post-hoc test.Results: Results showed reduction in blood sugar and increase in biochemical and histologic markers of hepatic injury. Conclusion:Ethanolic extract of O. gratissimum causes dose dependent hepatic injury despite its glucose lowering ability.

Anti-Diabetic Potential of Ocimum gratissimum Leaf Fractions in Fortified Diet-Fed Streptozotocin Treated Rat Model of Type-2 Diabetes

“…These phytochemicals are known to possess antidiabetic activities [ 25 ] and at least one or more of them were present in the fraction. The data from this study gives credibility to existing reports that OG is valuable in the ethno-therapeutic management of diabetes mellitus [ 12 , 19 , 20 , 22 , 32 ]. Apart from the fact that all five fractions were confirmed to be effective, the n -butanol fraction of OG was revealed to be the most effective, since it had the satisfactory ability to revert diabetic alterations to near normal.…”

“…Several other investigators have also reported the non-toxic nature of the leaf extract either to the kidney or the liver [ 12 , 13 , 18 , 34 ]. Nevertheless, some other investigators had contrary reports including Mohammed, et al [ 21 ] who reported LD 50 of OG as 1264.9 mg/kg bw, Onaolapo, et al [ 20 ] who reported 912.3 mg/kg bw oral ethanol extract of OG and Okon, et al who calculated the LD 50 of OG to be 4242.6 mg/kg bw [ 17 ]. However, these differences in the LD 50 may be due to the age of the plant, geographical location, season and time of harvest, which have been reported to affect the phytochemical compositions of plants [ 37 ] and ultimately affect its toxicity.…”

“…Transaminases (AST and ALT) are important and critical enzymes involved in the breakdown of amino acids into α-keto acid, which are routed for complete metabolism through the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain. They are considered specific biomarkers for liver damage [ 20 ]. In hepatocyte injury, there is impairment in the liver cell membrane which results in permeability of cytoplasmic enzymes like AST and ALT which escape into the circulatory system and result in an increase in their activities in serum.…”

“…Induction of diabetes using either >100 mg/kg body weight (bw) of Alloxan or >40 mg/kg of streptozotocin, results in insulin deficiency typical for T1D. These were the methods used predominantly by most previous investigators such as Okon (2012) in Calabar [ 17 ], Asuquo et al (2009) in Calabar [ 18 ], Onaolapo et al (2012), Onaolapo and Onaolapo (2012) in Osun State [ 19 , 20 ], Mohammed et al (2007) in Zaria [ 21 ], Egesie et al (2006) in Jos [ 12 ], Igoli et al (2005) in Calabar [ 14 ] and Aguiyi et al (2000) [ 22 ]. Sadly, screening of medicinal plants intended for management of T2D may not yield positive results when inappropriate animal models are used.…”

Untitled

“…Therefore, the increment in the activities of SGOT, SGPT, LDH and ALP in serum may also be due to the leakage of these enzymes from the liver cytosol into the blood stream 34 , which gives an indication on the hepatotoxic effect of STZ 35 . On the other hand, treatment of the diabetic rats with ethanolic extracts of plants significantly restored liver marker enzymes level.…”