Hypoglycaemic Effect Of Incorporation Of Ocimum Gratissimum In Diets Fed Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

ABSTPACT

Dried Ocimum gratissimum leaves (5%) were incorporated into diets formulated with plantain (raw/sundried and boiled/ovendried) and soybean. The diets were fed to alloxan-induced diabetic rats and control. The blood glucose level, fasting blood glucose, response to oral glucose challenge, electrolytes and weight of organs were evaluated within 28 days. The dietary fibre content of boiled oven-dried plantain was the lowest. Incorporation of 0 .gratissirnurn positively affected the hypoglycaemic indices (blood glucose and fasting blood glucose) but there were no significant differences (p>OO5) in the response to oral glucose challenge in all the samples. Its effect on the electrolytes (serum calcium, potassium and sodium) was not clear. It had no effect on the weight gain of adult albino rats within the experimental period.