EXTRACTS OF OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM LEAVES INHIBITS FE2+ AND SODIUM NITROPRUSSIDE INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS IN RAT LIVER

This study investigate the antioxidative properties and the ability of aqueous, ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts from Ocimum gratissimum (OG) leaves to inhibit some pro-oxidants (Fe and sodium nitroprusside) induced lipid peroxidation in rat’s liver homogenates in vitro. The ability of the extracts to inhibit 25 μM FeSO4 and 7.0 μM sodium nitroprusside induced lipid peroxidation in isolated rat’s liver was determined. The results of the study revealed that both pro-oxidants caused a significantly decrease in (p<0.05) accumulation of lipid peroxides. However, aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum shows a high ability to inhibit lipid production in the liver induced with SNP than Fe. Ethanol and ethyl acetate extract of Ocimum gratissimum which shows a high ability to inhibit lipid production more when induced with Fe than SNP. However, ethyl acetate fraction of Ocimum gratissimum shows a higher inhibitory effect on both Fe and SNP induced lipid peroxidation in rat’s liver. This might be as a result of its significantly higher extractable phytochemicals. Therefore, Fe II and sodium nitroprusside induced oxidative stress could be managed by dietary intake of Ocimum gratissimum leaves.