EFFECT OF OCIMUM BASILICUM IN PREVENTION OF MURINE CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE INDUCED VASCULAR CONGESTION OF OVARIAN MEDULLA
Abstract
Cyclophosphamide is one of the alkylating chemotherapeutic drug used in cancer patients that exhibits antifertility effects on female gonads. Ocimum Basilicum is a natural herb rich in polyphenols and is known to improve fertility. Objective: To determine the role of a natural herb, Ocimum basilicum extract, as a protective agent against cyclophosphamide induced congestion in ovarian medulla.
Methods: 45 adult female albino rats were divided in control group A, experimental groups B and C each having 15 rats. Group A rats received single dose of 150 mg/kg normal saline intraperitoneally on 8th day of experiment, while group B was given single intraperitoneal dose of 150 mg/kg cyclophosphamide at day 8 of experiment. Group C rats were pretreated with methanolic basil (Ocimum basilicum) seeds extract for 7 days followed by single intraperitoneal dose of 150 mg/kg cyclophosphamide at day 8 of experiment. All the rats were dissected 48 hours after the last dose.
Results: Cyclophosphamide caused congestion of blood vessels in ovarian medulla in group B and C. Congestion of ovarian medulla in group B when compared with control group A was highly significant with p-value <0.001. When observed in experimental group C, there was slight improvement in congestion of blood vessels. When compared with the group B, the difference was not significant having p-value 0.229. Conclusion: The results of the present study proved that basil seeds showed slight improvement in vascular congestion in ovarian medulla, when used with Cyclophosphamide as a preventive agent.
