ISSN (Online) : 2277-4572
Author(s): Oluwafemi Adeleke Ojo *, Omotade Oloyede
This study investigate the antioxidative properties and the ability of aqueous, ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts from Ocimum gratissimum (OG) leaves to inhibit some pro-oxidants (Fe2+ and sodium nitroprusside) induced lipid peroxidation in rat’s liver homogenates in vitro. The ability of the extracts to inhibit 25 µM FeSO4 and 7.0 µM sodium nitroprusside induced lipid peroxidation in isolated rat’s liver was determined. The results of the study revealed that both pro-oxidants caused a significantly decrease in (p<0.05) accumulation of lipid peroxides. However, aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum shows a high ability to inhibit lipid production in the liver induced with SNP than Fe2+ . Ethanol and ethyl acetate extract of Ocimum gratissimum which shows a high ability to inhibit lipid production more when induced with Fe2+ than SNP. However, ethyl acetate fraction of Ocimum gratissimum shows a higher inhibitory effect on both Fe2+ and SNP induced lipid peroxidation in rat’s liver. This might be as a result of its significantly higher extractable phytochemicals. Therefore, Fe II and sodium nitroprusside induced oxidative stress could be managed by dietary intake of Ocimum gratissimum leaves.
