Hepatoprotective activity of ethanol extract of Ocimum basilicum against CCl4– induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats

Abstract

This experimental study was carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of the ethanolic extract of Ocimum basilicum whole plant that has been used in folk medicine in Sudan for the treatment of liver disorders. The extract was tested on rats at an oral dose of 200 mg/kg, 24h, after 36h samples were collected carefully; serum was separated by centrifugation (1200–1500 rpm for 15 min). EDTA was used as an anticoagulant in blood samples for hematological analysis, the tissues of liver were isolated carefully, fixed in 10% formalin and embedded in paraffin wax and they were taken for hepatoprotective effect on hepatocellular injury following post- treatment with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Plasma levels of biochemical markers such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (Tbill) total protein (T.pro), albumin (ALB) and globulin were taken as biomarkers of liver damage. Also urea and creatinine were estimated. The ethanol extract at an oral dose of 200 mg/kg exhibited a significant (P < 0.001) protective effect by lowering serum levels of AST, ALT, and ALP comparable with that of silymarin used as a standard drug when related to CCl4 (intoxicated) using spss. These biochemical observations were supplemented by histopathological examination of liver sections, which proved the protection effect of the plant extract. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract was conducted and the phytoconstituent identified include flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, triterpens, sterols and cumarins