en pharmacology pharmacology Original Article Original Article <span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong><em>Background:</em></strong> </span>Diabetes is a metabolic disorder with a highly complex, multifaceted and intricate etiologies and thus may require management options that proffers multimodal mechanism of action. This present study evaluated the antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of the methanolic extract/fractions of leaves of <em>Ocimum canum.</em><br> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong><em>Methods: </em></strong></span>The antidiabetic potential was evaluated and using STZ-induced diabetic Wistar rat model (<em>in vivo</em>) and inhibition of &alpha;-amylase and &alpha;-glucosidase activity (<em>in vitro</em>).&nbsp; Antioxidant activity was assessed <em>in vitro</em> by free radical scavenging and reducing power assays and <em>in vivo</em> via monitoring SOD and CAT activities; GSH and MDA levels.<br> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong><em>Results: </em></strong></span>The total phenolic content (221.0&plusmn;3.0 mg catechol/g of sample) and tannins (146.0&plusmn;4.0 mg tannic acid/g of sample) of the crude extract; and flavonoid of the aqueous-methanol fraction (216.0.0&plusmn;1.0 mg of rutin/g of sample) were found to be significantly higher relative to others. The crude extract and the aqueous-methanol fraction exhibited a significantly (p<0.05) higher percentage reduction in fasting blood glucose and a concomitant increase in serum insulin level relative to the diabetic control group. The highest radical scavenging activity and reducing power were observed in the aqueous-methanol fraction. The aqueous-methanol solvent fraction also significantly reversed the alterations in oxidative stress markers occasioned by the diabetic condition.<br> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong><em>Conclusion: </em></strong></span>In conclusion, the result of the present study has demonstrated evidently that extracts of <em>Ocimum canum</em> leaves ameliorates hyperglycemia and the associated oxidative stress in STZ-induced rats.</span></span> Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Oxidative stress, Ocimum canum, insulin 162 175 http://caspjim.com/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1234-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Chimaobi J Ononamadu ononamaducj0016@gmail.com 100319475328460016895 100319475328460016895 Yes Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Science, Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, Nigeria Adamu, J. Alhassan ajalhassan@yahoo.com 100319475328460016896 100319475328460016896 No Department of Biochemistry, Bayero University, Kano State, Nigeria Abdullahi A. Imam aa.mam@yahoo.com 100319475328460016897 100319475328460016897 No Department of Biochemistry, Bayero University, Kano State, Nigeria Aminu Ibrahim ibrahima2794@buk.edu.ng 100319475328460016898 100319475328460016898 No Department of Biochemistry, Bayero University, Kano State, Nigeria Godwin, O. Ihegboro goihegboro@yahoo.com, 100319475328460016899 100319475328460016899 No Dept of Biochemistry and Forensic Science, Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State Alowonle, T. Owolarafe abufatimawamaryam@gmail.com 100319475328460016900 100319475328460016900 No Department of Biochemistry and Forensic Science, Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, Nigeria Muhammed, S. Sule mssule@yahoo.com 100319475328460016901 100319475328460016901 No Department of Biochemistry, Bayero University, Kano State, Nigeria