Effect Of Ethanolic Extract Of Ocimum Gratissimum Leaves On Placental And Birth Weight And Early Postnatal Growth Of The Offspring Of Diabetic Pregnant Rats

ABSTRACT

Extract of Ocimumgratissimum (OG) is popularly used to treat diabetes mellitus

and its hypoglycaemic activity has been confirmed by in vivo studies. There is

paucity of data on the effect of this extract on placenta development and birth

outcome in diabetic pregnancy. This study was therefore aimed at investigating

this.42 pregnant rats weighing 150-200g were used. They were divided into control

and extract treated diabetic and non-diabetic groups with 6 rats in each subgroup.

Extract treated groups were administered 200 mg/Kg and 400 mg/Kg of ethanolic

extract of OG orally. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of

alloxan monohydrate after an overnight fast. Treatment commenced in the second

trimester and lasted till end of pregnancy. On day 18 of pregnancy, 3 rats from

each group were sacrificed and the placentae harvested and weighed. On the day of

delivery, litter sizes and birth weights were also recorded.Placenta-birth weight

ratio was also calculated.Results showed that OG administration caused a

significant decrease in placental weights and birth weights and litter sizes in both

diabetic and non-diabetic pregnancy. OG also caused a significant decrease in

placenta-birth weight ratio. It was concluded that the observed decrease in

placenta-birth weight ratios in both diabetic and non-diabetic pregnancy may

suggest a protective beneficial effect of this extract againstmacrosomia in diabetic pregnancies and the increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life.