Pharmacological investigation of Ocimum gratissimum in rodents

The pharmacological activities were screened of aqueous extracts of Ocimum gratissimum in isolated rabbit jejunum (IRJ); rat stomach strip (RSS); and also its analgesic properties in mice. The extract caused a dose dependent inhibition of the rabbit jejunum spontaneous pendular movement. The blocking effect on acetylcholine induced contraction was non-competitive in the rat stomach strip since maximum contractions were suppressed and no parallel shift was observed in the curve. The result of the analgesic study showed that the extract evoked a prolongation of reaction time of 85% ( p < 0. 05) over 20 min observation time with no overt signs of toxicity. These results suggest the presence of analgesic and spasmolytic activities.