Isolation and characterization of anti-diabetic component (bioactivity-guided fractionation) from Ocimum sanctum L. (Lamiaceae) aerial part.

OBJECTIVE: To isolate and characterize antidiabetic component (bioactivity-guided fractionation) from hydro alcoholic extract of Ocimum sanctum (O. sanctum) aerial part. METHODS: Ten fractions (F1-F10) were isolated from hydro alcoholic extract of O. sanctum aerial part by column chromatography. All the fractions F1 to F10 were screened for antidiabetic activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats by estimating serum glucose level and lipid parameters. The isolated bioactive component was elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic (UV, IR, MS, (1)H and (13)C NMR) data analysis. RESULTS: The bioactive fraction (F5) was found to be potent antidiabetic by ameliorating glucose and lipid parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol). The extensive spectroscopic data analysis reveals that, the isolated bioactive compound elucidated as tetracyclic triterpenoid [16-hydroxy-4,4,10,13-tetramethyl-17-(4-methyl-pentyl)-hexadecahydro-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one]. CONCLUSIONS: Our present study concluded that, tetracyclic triterpenoid isolated from aerial part of O. sanctum has a great anti-diabetic potential.

Evaluation of antidiabetic and related actions of some Indian medicinal plants in diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate antidiabetic activity of chloroform extracts of Acacia arabica bark, Benincasa hispida fruit, Tinispora cordifolia stem, Ocimum sanctum areal parts and Jatropha curcus leaves. METHODS: The chloroform extracts of Acacia arabica bark, Benincasa hispida fruit, Tinospora cordifolia stem, aerial part of Ocimum sanctum and Jatropha curcus leaves were evaluated at different doses (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight.) for antidiabetic potentials in alloxan induced diabetic albino rats. The extracts were administered for two weeks in different groups whereas tolbutamide (80 mg/kg body weight) was used as reference standard throughout study. RESULTS: The result of present study showed test compounds significantly decreases elevated level of serum glucose and also caused to reverse the cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL values when compared to untreated diabetic rats. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding indicates that different test extracts were able to ameliorate the derangements in lipid metabolism caused by diabetes mellitus in alloxan induced diabetic rats towards normal level.