Pharmacological Effect of Aqueous Leaves Extract of Ocimum Basilicum Against Liver Toxicity Induced by Acetaminophen in Male Rats

Overdose of acetaminophen, a widely used analgesic drug, can result in severe hepatotoxicity and is often fatal. The present study investigated the pharmacological effect of the Ocimum basilicum leaves against the hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol in male rats. Eighteen white male rats were used. These animals divided into three groups each group contain six animals as a following: first group is the normal group, second group treated intraperitoneally with paracetamol (1 ml/ kg) at the first day and fourth day of the experimental seven days, third group treated intraperitoneally with paracetamol (1 ml/ kg) at the first day and fourth day of the experimental 7 days + (100 mg / kg of B.W.) Ocimum Basilicum for seven days. The result indicate that paracetamol caused a significant increased in the level of the Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline phosphate (ALP), and nonsignificant increasing in the Cholesterol and Globulin levels compared with the rats of normal group, Also treated with paracetamol caused decreased in the Protein and Albumin levels compared with the normal rats but nonsignificant. Administered of aqueous leaves extract of Ocimum Basilicum at 100 mg / kg of B.W for 7 days caused recovery of these biochemical parameters above toward normal value . In conclusion, aqueous leaves extract of Ocimum Basilicum is effective in protecting rats against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity, this protection may involve the reduction of oxidative stress.