Hepatoprotective Activity of Ocimum americanum L Leaves against Paracetamol − Induced Liver Damage in Rats

This study was designed to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract of Ocimum ameri-canum leaves against paracetamol – induced liver damage in rats. Hepatic damage was induced by paracetamol. Thereafter, the levels of some serum biochemical parameters such as alanine trasaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, total bilirubin (TBIL) and total protein (TP) were investigated. The activities of ALP, AST, ALT and histological changes in the liver of rats were also determined. Silymarin was used as the standard hepatoprotective drug. The pre – treatment of rats with aqueous extract of O. americanum leaves caused a significant increase in the serum levels of TP and albumin. There was a significant decrease in the serum levels of ALP, AST, ALT and TBIL with a corresponding increase in the activities of ALP, AST and ALT in the liver of extract treated rats. The hepatoprotection was confirmed by histological examinations of liver sections of normal and treated rats. Furthermore, rats intoxicated with paracetamol alone had their serum ALP, AST, ALT and TBIL levels significantly increased, while TP and albumin concentrations decreased when compared with the normal rats. The aqueous extract of Ocimum americanum leaves at doses of 200 and 400 mg /kg p.o. have significant hepatoprotective ability against paracetamol – induced hepatic damage in rats.