Antidiabetic effects of the ethanol extract of Ocimum sanctum on in vitro starch digestion, glucose diffusion and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) status

Abstract

Ocimum sanctum (O. sanctum) is widely used medicinal plant in the management of diabetes in the southeast Asia. Previous studies have shown that the antihyperglycemic effect of the ethanol extract the O. sanctum is related to insulin secretion. In the present study, the antidiabetic effect of O. sanctum was evaluated by the determining in vitro starch digestion, glucose diffusion and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. The effects on the inhibition of carbohydrate digestion were determined by α-amylase as well as α-glucosidase enzymes. Cellulose fiber was used to assess the effect of O. sanctum on glucose absorption. The effect on free radicals was evaluated by the determination of DPPH activity. O. sanctum reduced (p