Hypotensive effect of aqueous and methanol leaves extracts of Ocimum Basilicum (sweet basil) on normotensive cats blood pressure

Hypotensive effects of aqueous and methanol extract of Ocimum basilicum produced effect in a dose dependent manner. The doses of 1.5 and 10mg/ml produce a significantly decrease in both the systolic Blood pressure P< 0.05 in the two portions. The methanol extract significantly decrease the blood pressure when compared to that of aqueous. The pharmacologically antagonistic study of the extract revealed the hypotensive effect of Ocimum basilicum was not mediated via the adrenoceptor but it was attenuated by a cholinergic blockade. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of reducing sugars, cardiac glycosides, resin, tannins, saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, glycerin and steroids. The median lethal dose (LD50) in cats was calculated to be 1264.9 mg/kg body weight