Reversal of Diabetes-Induced Intestinal Hyperplasia in Male Rats Treated with <i>Ocimum gratissimum</i> Leaf Extract

Abstract

Morphologic alterations that compromise nutrient handling are reported in the small intestine of diabetic rats. Ocimum gratissimum (OG) has antiproliferative activities in cancer cells, hence this study investigated the effect of OG on intestinal histomorphometry and glucose absorption in diabetic rats. Twenty-five male rats (180-210g) were randomly grouped into five as control, normal+OG, diabetic (Dia), diabete + OG (Dia +OG), and diabetic +  glibenclamide (Dia + Gli). Diabetes was induced by alloxan monohydrate in Dia, Dia + OG, and Dia + Gli then treated with distilled water (DW), OG, (400 mg/kg) or glibenclamide (5 mg/kg), respectively; while control and normal + OG were normal rats administered with DW or OG for 28 days. Fasting blood glucose level of the animals was monitored weekly. Glucose absorption and histomorphometry analysis (villi height, crypt depth, epithelial height, muscle thickness and goblet count) of the jejunum and ileum were determined. Data were compared using ANOVA. Fasting blood glucose was reduced in the Dia + OG after treatments. Glucose absorption increased only in the Normal + OG animals. Villus height of the ileum increased in Dia but decreased in the Dia + OG and Dia + Gli. Ileal crypt depth was significantly increased in Dia compared with the control. Although, the ileal crypt depth was higher in the Dia + OG than the control, it was significantly lower compared with Dia group. Epithelial height of the ileum increased in Dia group compared with control while goblet cell count was increased in the jejunum of the two groups administered OG. In conclusion, Ocimum gratissimum reversed intestinal hyperplasia without changes in intestinal glucose absorption in alloxan-induced diabetic male wistar rats.