Effect of Oral Administration of Methanolic Extract of Ocimum gratissimum on Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Aim: The effect of the methanolic extract of Ocimum gratisimum (OG) leaves on the
tissue damage induced by ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in the rat intestine was
investigated.
Study Design: Randomized controlled experiment.
Place and Duration of Study: Experimental Animal Unit and Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria from March to May, 2013.
Methodology: 18 rats were divided randomly into 3 groups of 6 rats each. Group I served
as control; Group II had IR injury by laparotomy with clamping of the Superior mesenteric
artery (SMA) for 30 minutes followed by removal of the clamp for 45 minutes; Group III
was pre-treated orally for 7days with methanolic extract of Ocimum gratissimum (MEOG)
followed by IR injury. Sections of the duodenum and ileum were cut for histopathological
examination. The remaining tissues were processed for the determination of biochemical
markers of oxidative stress including Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), Malondialdehyde (MDA)
and Glutathione concentrations.
Results: Mean values of MDA and H2O2 levels were significantly elevated (P=0.004 and P=0.03, respectively) in intestinal tissues following IR compared to control while reduced
glutathione (GSH) levels were not significantly altered. OG (500mg/kg) caused significant
reduction (P=0.02 and P=0.04) in MDA concentrations and H2O2 generation, respectively
compared with the IR group. Histopathological examination revealed erosions and
stunting of the villi tips in the duodenum and ileum, with severe mononuclear infiltration at
the mucosal surface in the IR group. No visible lesions were observed in the intestine of
the control group, with no significant alterations in the intestinal epithelium of the OGtreated
rats.
Conclusion: The results suggest that OG may provide some protection against intestinal
mucosal injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion, through its anti-oxidative effects.