Mechanisms of Hepato-Renal Protective Activity of Ocimum basilicum Leaf Extract against Paracetamol Toxicity in Rat Model

The present study aimed to investigate the hepato-renal protective effect of Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum) leaf extract against the hepato-renal toxicity induced by paracetamol in rats. Twenty four Wistar male rats were divided into four groups each group contains 6 rats as follows: Group I rats received 2 ml distilled water for 30 days and served as a vehicle control. Rats in the group II were given single oral dose of paracetamol (500 mg/kg), 1 h after last distilled water administration and kept as paracetamol intoxicated control group. Groups III and IV received the ethanolic extract of O. basilicum at 200 and 400 mg/kg bwt, respectively, once daily for 30 consecutive days followed by a single oral dose of paracetamol (500 mg/kg), 1 h after the last O. basilicum extract. The degree of hepatoprotection was measured using liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and bilirubin, albumin, and lipid profile. The degree of renal protection was measured using creatinine, urea, total protein and glucose. Histopathological examinations of liver and kidney were also done. The significantly altered liver and kidney functions by paracetamol toxicity were restored to nearly normal values by administration of O. basilicum extract. Change in biochemical parameters in groups received paracetamol alone was normalized in groups given paracetamol and O. basilicum extract. Histopathological lesions induced by paracetamol in liver and kidney was also markedly decreased by its co-administration with O. basilicum extract. The findings indicated that O. basilicum extract has a hepato-renal protective activity against paracetamol induced toxicity in rats. This protection may be attributed to good antioxidant activity of O. basilicum. Therefore intake of O. basilicum extract may reduce hepato-renal toxicity induced by paracetamol.