In vitro antioxidant and anti-neoplastic activities of Ocimum sanctum leaves in Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma bearing mice

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the antioxidant and anti neoplastic activities of Ocimum sanctum Linn. (OS) leaves. Antioxidant potential of the OS extract was evaluated in vitro by DPPH (1, 1diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and NO (Nitric Oxide) scavenging assay and reducing power assay method. OS extract showed prominent scavenging activity in all the methods with IC50 value of 16.39±0.31 and 16.20±0.33 μg mL-1 for DPPH and NO assay method, respectively. In reducing power assay, OS extract also showed significant (p<0.001) activity. In addition, total phenolic and flavonoid content and total antioxidant capacity were also determined. The anti neoplastic effect of the leaves of OS against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) in mice at the doses of 50 mg kg-1 body weight intraperit one ally. Significant (p<0.001) increases of survival times 33±1.81 days for crude extract of the (50 mg kg-1) treated tumor bearing mice were confirmed with respect to the control group (20±0.12 days). Hematological studies reveal that the Heamoglobin (Hb) content was decreased in EAC treated mice whereas restoration to near normal levels was observed in extract treated animals. There was a significant (p<0.001) decrease in RBC count and increase in WBC counts in extract/fraction treated animals when compared to EAC treated animals. From the result it was showed that the extract has significant antioxidant as well as anti neoplastic activity.