Background/Aim: The human heart is an organ that pumps blood throughout the body via the circulatory system, supplying oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and removing carbon dioxide and other wastes. Several substances consumed has direct and indirect effect on the ability of the heart to carry out it constant responsibility. Ocimum canum is a plant regularly consumed in many part of Sub-Sahara Africa in management of various conditions such as infection, pain and diarrhea. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of Ocimum canum on the liver of Wister rats after 30 days of oral administration of the extract.
Method: Animals of either sex were selected. Group 1 received distilled water (10 ml/kg), while group 2, 3 and 4 received Ocimum canum 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively. Animals were kept in standard cages and given access to the extract, water and food orally for 28 days, after which they were weighed and sacrificed. Blood was collected by cardiac puncture and taken immediately for hematological and chemo pathological analysis. The histological cardiotoxic potential of the plant was studied using haematotoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining technique.
Result: There was significant (P<0.05) decrease in RBC, HGB, MCV, while there was no change in the level of neutrophiles, basophiles, eosinophiles and platelets. The extract did not cause significant (P<0.05) change in the level of cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride, although there was significant increase in the level of HDL. Histological study of the heart tissue also agrees with other parameter.
Conclusion: result revealed that the plant may have no cardiotoxic property. Further research may need to be done to establish it use in managing cardiovascular disease.
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