Ocimum sanctum: A Therapeutic Role in Diabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome

The article by Reddy et al. [1] was highly interesting and provided conclusive evidence of the hypoglycemic effects of Ocimum sanctum. Zinc deficiency has been associated with insulin resistance. Ocimum is one of the richest sources of zinc and this may very well play a role in decreasing insulin resistance [2]. Ocimum also exerts an antidiabetic effect by improving the activity of glucokinase, hexokinase, and phosphofructokinase. In fact, Ocimum may have a much broader role to play not just in diabetic patients but also in patients with the metabolic syndrome.

For instance, Rai et al. [3] in a recent study showed that Ocimum decreased serum cholesterol levels by almost 11% and serum Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) levels by almost 14%. A simultaneous significant decrease in the levels of serum triglycerides and Very Low Density Lipoproteins (VLDL) was also noted in this study. Besides, Ocimum extracts also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects [4] that inhibit the pathological inflammatory processes seen in individuals with the metabolic syndrome. Ocimum has also been shown to have a protective effect against myocardial infarctions [5]. It has also been shown to have a therapeutic role in the treatment of myocardial infarction. Ocimum leaves have also been shown to have antistressor and antihypertensive properties besides playing a positive role in thyroid function.

Clearly, Ocimum has a major role to play in the management of diabetes as well as the metabolic syndrome. Physicians should be aware of the beneficial effects of Ocimum and should encourage its regular incorporation into the daily diet, especially in diabetic individuals and individuals with the metabolic syndrome.

References

• 1 Reddy SS, Karuna R, Baskar R, Saralakumari D. Prevention of insulin resistance by ingesting aqueous extract of ocimum sanctum to fructose-fed rats.  Horm Metab Res. 2008;  40 44-49
• 2 Naga Raju GJ, Sarita P, Ramana Murty GA. et al . Estimation of trace elements in some anti-diabetic medicinal plants using PIXE technique.  Appl Radiat Isot. 2006;  64 893-900
• 3 Rai V, Mani UV, Iyer UM. Effect of Ocimum sanctum leaf powder on blood lipoproteins, glycated proteins and total amino acids in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.  J Nutr Environ Med. 1997;  7 113-118
• 4 Singh S, Majumdar DK. Evaluation of antiinflammatory activity of fatty acids of Ocimum sanctum fixed oil.  Indian J Exp Biol. 1997;  35 380-383
• 5 Sharma M, Kishore K, Gupta SK, Joshi S, Arya DS. Cardioprotective potential of ocimum sanctum in isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction in rats.  Mol Cell Biochem. 2001;  225 75-83

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