Revista de Imunobiologia

Phytochemical Characterization and Antioxidative Property of Ocimum canum: Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Leaves and Seeds on Basic Immunologic and Metabolic Status of Male Rats

Abstract

Seema Rai, Hindole Ghosh and Muddasir Basheer

The present study was carried out to assess the effect of ethanolic extract of leaves and seeds of Ocimum canum on the hematological parameters (hemoglobin percentage (Hb%), Red Blood Corpuscles (RBC), White Blood Corpuscles (WBC), Differential Leukocyte Counting (DLC)), free radical load on vital organs (brain, testis, liver and kidney) and lymphoid organs (bone marrow, spleen) of male rat. Chemical characterization of leaves and seeds of O. canum showed the presence of volatile oils, flavonoids, carbohydrates, phytosterols, tannins and fixed oils. An oral dose of extracted leave and seeds with 0.05mg/100g body weight daily was given to the rats for 30 days. The hematological parameter showed significant (*p<0.05) increase in Hb%, R.B.C. and basophil was noted. Whereas a significant decrease in the monocyte and eosinolphil was found after the supplementation by ethanolic extract of leaves and seeds and therefore the impact may be said as cell specific. Supplementation of the extract of leave and seeds resulted in the significant decrease of free radical load expressed in Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in brain. However leaves extract was noted more effective in case of liver, kidney and testis in lowering the free radical load.