In-vitro antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective effects of the plant Ocimum sanctum Linn. against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidant effects of methanolic extract and volatile oil of whole plant of Ocimum sanctum Linn. The antioxidant activity of the volatile oil and methanolic extract of the whole plant of Ocimum sanctum was evaluated using in-vitro DPPH free radical scavenging activity. The effects were compared with a known antioxidant agent, Ascorbic acid. The results had been shown in the inhibitory concentra- tion that inhibits 50% of free radical (IC₅₀). It was found that IC₅₀ of ascorbic acid, volatile oil and methanolic ex- tract of O. sanctum were 3.06, 119.98 and 247.79µg/ml respectively. Between the oil and extract the volatile oil had shown the high antioxidative activity. The study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of methanolic extract of Ocimum sanctum in acute experimental liver injury induced by paracetamol. The effects observed were compared with a known hepatoprotective agent, silymarin (200 mg/kg p.o.). In the acute liver damage induced by hepatotoxin paracetamol (2 g/kg), O. sanctum methanolic extract (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced the elevated serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and bili- rubin in paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity. A number of scientific reports indicated that certain flavonoids, triterpenoids and steroids have protective effect on liver due to its antioxidant properties. Phytochemically, Oci- mum sanctum contains terpenes and flavonoids might play role in hepatoprotective activity.