Abstract
Herbal medicine, especially Ocimum gratissimum, or scent leaf, has a long history of usage in complementary and alternative medicine across the globe. The purpose of this study was to determine how giving Ocimum gratissimum ethanol extract affected the oxidative status of the plasma in rabbits exposed to cyanide. A total of fifteen (15) rabbits weighing between 357 and 720 grams were obtained, allowed to acclimatize for 28 days, and then split into five groups: a control group that only received drink water and feed; a group that received silymarin treatment at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight; a group that received treatment at 200 mg/kg body weight; a group that received treatment at 400 mg/kg b.w.; and a group that received treatment at 1g/kg body weight without receiving any treatment. Before the treatment was administered, potassium cyanide was administered to groups 1, 2, and 3. Following animal sacrifice, plasma samples were obtained and examined for the presence of superoxide dismutase (SOD), total protein, glutathione (GSH), vitamins A, E, and C, as well as α-amylase, catalase, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione reductase, and nitric oxide (NOx). The outcomes showed that there were notable differences in plasma parameters between the experimental and control groups. When compared to the cyanide group, the Silymarin group demonstrated a substantial rise in SOD levels (p < 0.05), which was also observed by Groups 2 and 3, who also showed enhanced GSH levels (p < 0.05) and SOD levels (p < 0.05). Significant differences were seen in the levels of GPx, α-amylase, MDA, GR, NOx, and vitamins A, C, and E among the groups, suggesting that the treatments had different impacts on oxidative state. These results imply that Ocimum gratissimum extract improves antioxidant defenses and modifies plasma vitamin levels in rabbits exposed to cyanide, especially at doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg. Additional clarification of these processes may emphasize the potential benefits of Ocimum gratissimum extract in conditions linked to oxidative stress.
