Anatomy & Physiology: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

Ocimum gratissimum Influence On Lead-Induced Changes On The Hepatobiochemical Parameters In Wistar Rats

Ibegbu O. Augustine, Okechukwu N. Gertrude , Orji O. Kenneth, Uchewa O. Obinna, Sarah Al-Rashed, Ezemagu K. Uchenna, Ibe Michael Usman, Egwu A. Ogugua, Gaber El-Saber Batiha

Background: Lead is deleterious to hematological, biochemical and hepatic parameters and researches have focused on antioxidants with therapeutic potentials to resolve and prevent these changes.

Objective: To study the influence of Ocimum Gratissimum (OG) extract on lead-induced hepatotoxicity and hemato-biochemical parameters of adult Wistar rats.

Methodology: Thirty-five adult Wistar rats were assigned into seven groups of five rats each. Group A served as Control, B received 120 mg/kg of lead while C received 375 mg/kg of OG. Groups D and E received 120 mg/kg of lead before 375 mg/kg and 750 mg/kg of OG respectively. Group F received 375 mg/kg of OG extract then 120mg/kg of lead while Group G received 120 mg/kg of lead and 1,190 mg/kg of ascorbic acid. All administrations lasted for 21 days orally, after which the animals were sacrificed; blood and liver tissues were collected for biochemical and histological analysis.

Results: The result showed increase in the mean body weight in the Control but a decrease in B. The result of biochemical analyses showed significant increase in Liver enzymes namely: ALT, AST, GGT and ALP in Group B compared to the Control and other treatment groups (p ≤ 0.05). The result of histological analysis of the liver tissues showed degenerative changes with focal necrosis and aggregated inflammatory cells in B and liver treated with the extract showed ameliorative changes as in Groups (D-G).

Conclusion: The extract of OG could be used as a therapeutic agent for intervention in lead poisoning.

Published Date: 2021-09-21; Received Date: 2021-08-13