Effect of Aqueous Extract of Ocimum gratissimum (Scent Leaf)On Hepatic Profile of Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Ocimum gratissimum (O. gratissimum) is an herbaceous plant commonly found in
tropical Asia and in the coastal areas of Nigeria, where it is used for the treatment of
ailments such as diarrhea, urinary infections, fever, and dysentery. This study thus
evaluated the effect of oral administration of O. gratissimum on the hepatic profile of
male Wistar rats. Ten (10) healthy rats weighing between 140-160 g were randomly
distributed into control and test groups comprising 5 animals each. After
acclimatization for two weeks, the test group was administered with 400mg/Kg crude
extract of O. gratissimum for two weeks. The animals were euthanized through cervical
dislocation at the end of the experiment and blood sample was collected via heart
puncture into plain bottles for serum biochemical hepatic profile assay while the liver
was excised for histological examination. The serum liver enzymes activities, bilirubin,
albumin, and total protein were assayed colorimetrically while the histological
examination followed the hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E) of the liver tissue.
The results of the liver enzyme activities, total protein, total and direct bilirubin levels
showed a significant at p < 0.05 increase in the test group when compared with the
controls while the observed increase in serum albumin level of the test group was not
statistically significant at p > 0.05 compared to the controls. The histological analysis
also revealed a mild lymphocytic infiltration of the liver tissue in the test group
compared to controls. The observed alteration in the hepatic profile is suggestive that
the toxicological effect of plant is dose dependent