Antioxidant and Protective Effect of Ocimum basilicum Seeds Extract on Renal Toxicity Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride...

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is distributed worldwide and used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Most applications are for the herb basil, recently the basil seeds have also been used commercially; however, little is known about the nutritional and functional properties of the seeds. The present study aimed to investigate a possible protective effect of the methanol extract of O. basilicum seeds (MEOB), based on its phytochemical content, against kidney toxicity induced by CCl₄ in adult rats. A single dose of CCl₄ was used to induce oxidative stress in rats, which was demonstrated by a significant rise of serum enzyme markers. MEOB was administrated for 15 consecutive days (200 mg/kg body weight) to Wistar rats before CCl₄ treatment and the effects on serum urea, creatinine, and uric acid, as well as the kidney superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and protein carbonyl (PCO) levels were evaluated. In addition, histopathological examinations of kidneys were performed. In the positive control group, CCl₄ induced an increase in serum biochemical parameters and triggered oxidative stress in the kidney. MEOB (200 mg/kg BW) resulted in significant reduction of CCl₄-elevated levels of kidney markers, urea and creatinine, and a significant increase of uric acid compared with the CCl₄-only group. In addition, MEOB pretreatment resulted in a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation and PCO levels in renal tissue compared with CCl₄-exposed group. MEOB definitely could prevent the development of pathological changes in the kidneys. Overall, we conclude that MEOB is effective in protecting renal function from CCl₄ toxicity.