title: Improvement in nutrient handling in STZ induced diabetic rats treated with Ocimum gratissimum.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Alteration in digestive and absorptive enzymatic activities has been reported in diabetes mellitus (DM), but not with Ocimum gratissimum (OG) treatment. This study was, therefore, designed to indirectly assess the effect of DM and treatment with OG on nutrient digestion and absorption, through estimation of their fecal excretion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Animals were randomly assigned into three groups of six per group for control, DM and diabetic mellitus treated (DMT). Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin in the test groups. OG was administered to the DMT group at dose of 1500 mg/kg once daily for 28 days. Fecal glucose, protein and cholesterol were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fecal glucose was significantly (P < 0.001) lower in the DM group compared to the control and DMT groups, with the DMT groups significantly (P < 0.001) lower than the control. Fecal protein was significantly (P < 0.001) lower in the DM group than the control whereas it was significantly lower in the DMT groups than the DM. Fecal cholesterol was significantly (P < 0.001) higher in the DM than the DMT and control groups with DMT significantly (P < 0.01) higher than the control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This result indicates the propensity of OG to reverse impairment of nutrient digestion and absorption in DM.
authors: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
authors: Uduak Akpan
authors: UA
authors: Okon
authors: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
authors: Koofreh Godwin
authors: KG
authors: Davies
authors: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
authors: Titilope Helen
authors: TH
authors: Olubobokun
keywords: Absorptive enzymes; Ocimum gratissimum; digestive enzymes; fecal cholesterol; fecal glucose; fecal protein