Effect of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and Its Oil on Postmenopausal Female Rats

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the effect of basil powder and oil on postmenopausal female rats. The study was carried out on thirty female albino rats were classified into six groups. The first group (5 young rats) aged between 7 to 9 weeks, weight from 80 to 95 g kept as control negative fed basal diet only. The others 25 rats aged between 19 to 21 weeks, weight from 200 to 205 g were classified into five groups (5 rats) each, as following : Group 2 (+ve), Groups (3 and 4) treated with basil powder (5 and 10% of diet), Group (5 and 6) treated with basil oil (0.5 and 1 ml/kg b.w) orally by stomach tube respectively, daily for 8 weeks. The results indicated that all treating animals showed highest significantly in BWG , FI , FER, HDL-c ,BMD ,BMC ,Ca, ionized Ca, P ,estrogen, osteocalcin and alkaline phosphates while showed lowest significantly in the TC, TG, LDL- C and VLDL- C as compared to the control positive group. As a result, the best values of these variables appeared in basil powder (10%) and basil oil (1.0 ml) compared with other treated groups, therefore were used during preparation of biscuit .The results of chemical composition revealed that biscuit with basil powder had the highest values of protein, ash and crude fiber in comparing with control biscuits, On the other hand the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents were that of the biscuits with basil oil then powder, biscuits with basil oil and powder showed lower amounts of peroxide and TBA value after 30 days storage period at degree room temperature in comparing with control biscuit. The results of physical properties indicated that biscuits with basil powder has the maximum spread ratio, while the scores of the sensory evaluation revealed that biscuit with basil oil showed higher values of color and flavour in comparing with control biscuit. Therefore, basil powder and oil is recommended for nutritional and healthy advantages for female who suffer from postmenopausal symptoms. Key words: Basil, estrogen , bone loss, rats, biscuit.