Effect of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Ocimum gratissimum (Linn) Leaves on Sodium Arsenite-Induced Toxicity in Rats

Abstract

Natural plant products are considered as possible protective agents against arsenite induced toxicity. Effects of methanolic leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum were investigated in sodium arsenite exposed rats. Animals were randomly divided into four groups of five per group. Group A (control), Group B (sodium arsenite alone), Group C (extract and sodium arsenite) and Group D (extract only). Rats were orally pretreated with 100 mg kg-1 b.wt. extract for 14 days while 2.5 mg kg-1 b.wt. arsenite was administered intraperitoneally on the 14th day and animals were sacrificed after 24 h. Plasma Alanine Amino Transferase (AL T), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) were evaluated. Hepatic lipid peroxidation as Malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced Glutathione (GSH) levels were also assessed. Introduction of sodium arsenite in rats triggered significant increases in plasma ALT, ALP and GGT (p<0.05) levels. Significant increase (p<0.05) in hepatic MDA concentration and depletion in GSH level were obtained. The methanolic leaf extract with arsenite modulated the activities of ALT, ALP and GGT to their normal levels. The extract reversed sodium arsenite-induced decrease in hepatic GSH to their normal levels while significant effect on hepatic MDA level was not observed. Group treated with the extract alone showed no adverse effects on the parameters. The properties exhibited by the extract may be due to the presence of certain bioactive compounds in it. The results obtained from this study underpin the importance offurther research to obtain bioactive substance from the leaf of Ocimum gratissimum.