Histopathological studies on the toxicity of <i>Ocimum gratissimum</i>leave extract on some organs of rabbit

Abstract

Aqueous extract of leaves of Ocimum gratissimum (OG) at doses of 0.4, 0.8 INTRODUCTlONOcimum gratissimum (Linn) family Labiaceae Is a herbaceous plant commonly found In tropical Asia especially India, where It is used for aromatic baths of fumigations in the treatment of rheumatism and paralysis. The plant is also found in West Africa. In NIgeria, it is found In the Savannah and coastal areas.In the coastal areas of Nigeria, the plant Is used In the treatment of epilepsy, (Osifo, 1992), hIgh fever (Oliver, 1980) and diarrhea (OlIver, 1980, andSofowora, 1993), whilst in the Savannah areas decoctions of the leaves are used to treat mental illness (Abdulrahman, 1992). The leaves of the plant are used as a condiment In cooking. In the southern part of Nigeria, the plant Is called "effinrin-nla" by the Yoruba speaking tribe. It is called "Ahuji" by the Igbos, while In the Northern part of Nigeria, the Hausas call it "Daidoya".In view of its many uses especially In Nigeria and the fact that traditional medicine practitioners prescribe and administer decoctions of the leaves to patients without regard to its possible adverse effects, the present investigation was undertaken to assess Its potential toxic effects on some organs (kidney, Intestine and the liver) of localization In rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS Collection and Identification of Plant MaterialsThe fresh leaves (800 g) of the shrub were collected from the University of Malduguri. The leaves were Identified and authenticated as Ocimum leaves, by Dr. S.S. Sanusi, a plant taxonomist in the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Maiduguri. Experimental AnimalsMale healthy rabbits bred in the Department of Pharmacology were used for the study. Their average weight was 1.2 kg. They were fed with ground leaves and tap water throughout the period of the experiment.

The Efficacy of Ocimum gratissimum Leaf Powder and Ethanol Extract on Adult Periplanata americana under Laboratory Condition

“…gratissimum has been used extensively in the traditional system of medicine in many countries. In the coastal areas of Nigeria, the plant is used in the treatment of epilepsy, high fever and diarrhea [18]. In the savannah areas, decoctions of the leaves are for mental illness [19].…”

Comparative Studies of the Aqueous Extracts of OcimumGratissimum, Aloe Vera, Brassica Oleraceaand Ipomoea Batatas on Some Biochemical Parameters in Diabetic Rats

“…The plant is used in the treatment of epilepsy, high fever and diarrhoea [4]. Its traditional uses, morphology, phytochemistry, antihypertensive effect, hepatoprotective effects and more importantly for the purpose of our study, its anti-diabetic activities has been documented in a review by Prabhuet al, [5].…”

“…Ocimumgratissimum(Lamiaceae)is a common plant in the Savannah and coastal areas of Nigeria, the plant is called "effinrin-nla" by the Yorubas, "Ahuji" by the Igbos, while in the Northern part of Nigeria, the Hausas call it "Daidoya" [4]. The plant is used in the treatment of epilepsy, high fever and diarrhoea [4].…”

Ocimum gratissimum: A Review of its Chemical, Pharmacological and Ethnomedicinal Properties

“…The group of animals treated with 1.6 g/kg of the extract depicted a reestablishment of the normal structure of the liver. Hepatocytes showed no sign of oedema hvpertrophy resulting in sinusoids with larger (normal) diameter thereby indicating the usefulness of O. gratissimum as an hepatoprotective agent [2].…”