Investigation of anti-diabetic activity of basil water extract and essential oil in diabetic rats

Diabetes is the most common metabolic disease. Because of the side effects of the antidiabetic drugs used in the treatment of diabetes, it is necessary to investigate alternative therapies for the control of the disease. Traditionally, herbal remedies have been used in the treatment of many diseases, such as diabetes for centuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the antidiabetic activity of Arapgir purple basil, which is traditionally used in the treatment, grows in Arapgir district of Malatya and has geographical indication. In this study, 60 Wistar Albino male rats were used and divided into 6 groups: Group 1: Control, Group 2: Control + basil extract (200mg / kg), Group 3: Control + basil essential oil (70mg / kg), Group 4: Diabetes, Group 5: Diabetes + basil extract (200mg / kg) , Group 6: Diabetes + basil essential oil (70mg / kg). Fasting blood glucose values were measured at the beginning, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. At the end of the study, blood samples were obtained from the animals and serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol and total protein values were measured. The fasting blood glucose level of the diabetes control group was found to be statistically higher than the control group. Consequently, diabetes symptoms such as polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia and weight loss were observed. The fasting blood glucose level in the diabetes group treated with basil aqueous extract showed a 37% decrease on the 14th day and 25.5% decrease in the 28th day. In the diabetes group given the essential oil, the fasting blood glucose value was decreased by 26.3% on the 28th day according to the first measurement. In the diabetic group treated with essential oil, serum triglyceride level was found to be higher than control and diabetes control group. Total cholesterol was not statistically different from control and diabetes control but VLDL cholesterol was found to be very high. As a result, it was found that basil aqueous extract and essential oil reduce the fasting blood glucose level to a certain level but did not prevent the symptoms of diabetes.