Evaluation of Antioxidant Potentials of Ocimum gratissimum and Xylopia aethiopica in Alcohol- Induced Hepatotoxic Albino Rats

Aims: This study evaluated the antioxidant potentials of Ocimum gratissimum and Xylopia aethiopica on Alcohol-induced Hepatotoxicity in Albino rats.

Study Design: The study is an experimental case-controlled study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Physiology, University of Port-Harcourt, Nigeria.

Methodology: Fifty-five (55) healthy adult male albino rats with an average weight of about 150-200 g were used for the study. They were divided into 11 groups of 5 Rats each and subjected to different treatments of the aforementioned herbs. All the animals received humane treatments according to the criteria outlined in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals prepared by the National Institute of Health. Fresh leaves of Ocimum gratissimum and Xylopia aethiopica were bought from the Mile 3 market in Port-Harcourt. The herbs were separately extracted using maceration method. Absolute ethanol at a volume of 1 ml/kg (0.79 g/kg) was used to induce hepatotoxicity in rats. At the end of the treatment period, rats in all the groups were anaesthetized with chloroform and blood samples collected by jugular puncture. Total antioxidant capacity was analyzed using colorimetric method, whilst, malondialdehyde levels were determined using ELISA method. SPSS version 22.0 was used to analyse data generated and p values less than 0.05 were considered significant.

Results: Results show that intraperitoneal injection of 1 ml/kg ethanol significantly raised plasma MDA levels and significantly decreased TAOC in induced rats. Treatment with 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg b.wt. of aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum and Xylopia aethiopica however effectively reduced ethanol induced raised activity of the MDA levels and increased the activity of TAOC in the rats, but the effects were not dose dependent and a combination of both herbs did not produce better therapeutic effect.

Conclusion: Based on our findings, we conclude that Ocimum gratissimum and Xylopia aethiopica used separately could reduce oxidative stress in alcohol induced hepatotoxic rats.