Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Ebonyi State University, P M. B. 05 Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Aja, P.M., Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Ebonyi State University, P M. B. 05 Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria; Onu, P.N., Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Ebonyi State University, P M. B. 05 Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of ethanolic extracts of fresh leaves of Ocimum basilicum on transaminase activities in albino rats. Thirty two male albino rats were randomly assigned to three experimental groups of 12 marked as groups A, B, and C respectively. Groups A and B were treated with oral administration of organic extract of Ocimum basilicum at 400mg and 200mg /kg body weight daily respectively. Group C received no treatment. The body weight of rats of group A and B were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced up to 31.85% and 23.46% respectively compared to the control. The activities of AST were significantly elevated in groups A and B rats (400mg and 200mg/kg body weight) to the extent of 68.22% and 63.54% respectively compared to the control. Results also exhibited that the specific activities of transamminase (AST/ALT) in the serum was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the treated rats than the control. The result of the this study suggests that ingestion of ethanolic extract of Ocimum basilicum could upset the body metabolic system and may also elicit a toxic effect especially when taken at high concentration.