Antioxidant properties of ethanol and fractions of ocimum gratissimum leave in paracetamol-induced oxidative stress in Wistar albino rats. -

Abstract

Objective: The present study is aimed at evaluating the antioxidant activity of different solvent fractions (ethylacetate, ethanol, hexane, aqueous) of Ocimum gratissimum (OG) on oxidative stress indices in Paracetamol-induced oxidative stress in Wistar albino rats. Methods: Thirty five Wistar albino rats of both sexes were divided into seven groups (n=5). Paracetamol (PCM) (500mg/ kg BW) dissolved in olive oil was administered daily for 28 days to induce hepatic damage in experimental rats. Control group received 1 ml olive oil only. 400 mg/kg BW doses of ethyl acetate, ethanol, hexane, aqueous fractions of OG and silymarin (SIL) (100mg/kg) in addition to 500mg/kg body weight of PCM dissolved in 1ml of olive oil respectively were used as treatment groups daily for 28 days. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture and activities of Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) using standard biochemical methods. Lipid peroxidation was estimated by measuring Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. Results: SOD activity increased significantly (p≤ 0.05) in groups administered different fractions of OG and SIL when compared with control. CAT activity showed significant (p≤ 0.05) increase in ethanol and ethyl acetate fractions of OG while group treated with SIL and groups administered hexane and aqueous fractions showed a marked increase when compared with rats treated with PCM only. Reduced GSH level increased significantly (p≤ 0.05) in aqueous fraction while SIL-treated group and groups administered fractions of OG (ethyl acetate, ethanol and hexane) showed a marked increase when compared with PCM only treated group. MDA concentration decreased significantly (p≤ 0.05) in groups administered different fractions of OG when compared with PCM only treated group. Conclusion: These findings are suggestive of the antioxidant properties of different solvent fractions of Ocimum gratissimum extract in paracetamol-induced oxidative stress with ethyl acetate fraction showing the highest activity.