Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of Ocimum gratissimum (O. gratissimum) and Vernonia amygdalina (V. amygdalina) with those of insulin and glibenclamide. Methods: Type I and II diabetes mellitus (DM) were induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of 65 mg/kg of streptozotocin and intraperitoneal administration of nicotinamide (100 mg/kg) along with streptozotocin, respectively. The state of diabetes was confirmed weekly by testing blood glucose level using a glucometer. Results: The weekly blood glucose levels were higher in type I DM than in type II DM. Type I DM plus O. gratissimum showed a weekly progressive significant reduction in blood glucose compared to type I DM control. Type I DM control showed a duration dependent significant higher blood glucose concentration compared to normal control. Type I DM plus V. amygdalina also showed a time dependent significant lower glucose level compared to normal control and type I DM control. Combination treatment of type I DM (O. gratissimum plus V. amygdalina) showed a significantly elevated glucose concentration compared to normal control which was similar to type I DM control. Insulin treatment in type I DM showed a weekly progressive significant reduction of glucose concentration compared to normal control and type I DM control. Type II DM control showed a fairly constant blood glucose concentration throughout the duration of treatment that was significantly higher than that of the normal control. Type II DM plus O. gratissimum showed a fairly steady significant reduction of glucose concentration compared to type II DM control and normal control. Type II DM plus V. amygdalina also showed a fairly constant significant reduction of glucose concentration compared to type II DM control and normal control. Type II DM (O. gratissimum plus V. amygdalina) showed a slightly progressive significant reduction of glucose concentration compared to normal control and type II DM control. Type II DM with glibenclamide showed almost steady significant reduction in glucose concentration compared to normal control and type II DM control. Conclusions: From the result, it is evident that O. gratissimum and V. amygdalina administration produces more potent hypoglycemic activity than insulin and glibenclamide in type I and II DM models, respectively.

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