Protective Effects of Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract Against Lead‐induced Toxicity in Rat Brain

Lead is a known as multi organ toxicant majorly on neuronal system. The present study evaluates the protective role of Ocimum sanctum leaf extract against lead induced oxidative damage to the different regions of the brain. Albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups each consisting of 10 rats. The Ocimum sanctum extract was administered orally at 200 and 400 mg/kg along with 500ppm of lead acetate dissolved water for four weeks to two groups of rats. The control group was administered with sodium acetate dissolved in water for four weeks. At the end of four weeks study period, the rats were sacrificed and brains were isolated and different regions like cerebellum, hippocampus, frontal cortex and brain stem were separated. The delta ALAD levels were estimated in the serum samples. The antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and GST), non enzymatic antioxidants (GSH), lipid peroxidation (TBRS), metal content, tissue nitrite and protein carbonyl content (PCO) were measured in all separated parts of the brain. Finally the histopathology was conducted for all the selected parts of the brain. The treatment with Ocimum sanctum showed significant elevation of serum delta ALAD levels, antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and GST) and compared to that of lead acetate control group. The lipid peroxidation and PCO were found to be lowered with Ocimum sanctum treatment in lead acetate induced brain toxicity. The histopathological studies indicated that the Ocimum sanctum showed marked amelioration of damaged structure of the parts of the brain caused by the lead acetate in rats. The results indicating that the protective effect was found to be more in cerebellum and hippocampus compared to other parts of brain.ConclusionsThe protective effect of Ocimum sanctum might be due to its antioxidant activity.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.