Basil seeds unlock memory: Hydroalcoholic extract of Ocimum basilicum reverses haloperidol-induced cognitive deficits in Mice

• Basil seed extract improves cognition in haloperidol-treated mice • Phytochemicals show antioxidant and neuroprotective effects • Docking reveals strong binding to cognition-related proteins • Behavioural tests confirm memory and learning enhancement • Histology shows preserved hippocampal neuronal structure Cognitive impairment associated with aging and neurodegenerative disease is an escalating public health burden, highlighting the need for safe, effective interventions that improve learning and memory. Ocimum basilicum Linn, traditionally used for medicinal purposes, contains bioactive constituents with antioxidant and neuroprotective potential, making it a promising natural candidate for cognition support. An integrative design combined in silico network pharmacology and molecular docking with in vivo assessment in Swiss albino mice subjected to haloperidol-induced amnesia. The hydroalcoholic seed extract of Ocimum basilicum was evaluated using validated behavioural paradigms (Morris water maze, Y-maze, passive avoidance, and novel object recognition), complemented by phytochemical screening and histopathological examination of brain tissue. The extract significantly improved spatial, working, and recognition memory in haloperidol-treated mice. Phytochemical screening indicated abundant flavonoids, saponins, phenols, and tannins; histology showed reduced neuronal damage, supporting a neuroprotective effect consistent with antioxidant activity. In silico analyses revealed strong binding affinities of key phytoconstituents to cognition-related targets and hub proteins, suggesting a multitarget mechanism of action. These findings indicate that the hydroalcoholic seed extract of Ocimum basilicum confers cognitive enhancement and neuroprotective effects in a haloperidol-induced amnesia model, likely via synergistic, multitarget engagement of antioxidant and anti-apoptotic pathways. Given the rising prevalence of dementia and the limitations of current therapies, further mechanistic studies and clinical trials are warranted to validate the translational potential of basil seed extract as a natural nootropic.