THE EFFECT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF Ocimum gratissimum LEAVES ON THE LIVER ANDHAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF Salmonella typhi-INDUCED ALBINO RATS

This study investigates the effect of aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum on the liver function, kidney function, lipid profile, and hematological parameters of Salmonella typhi-infected Wistar albino rats. Experimental rats were grouped into six groups, induced with S. typhi via oral administration of an infective dose (1 ml of 1.5 × 108 cfu/ml) of cultured S. typhi. Group 1 served as the control, group 2 was untreated, group 3 was treated with the standard drug (ciprofloxacin), while groups 4, 5, and 6 were treated with (200, 250, and 300 mg/kg) body weight of the aqueous extract of O. gratissimum. The physical examination of rats in all the treated groups showed significant improvement. Groups treated with the plant extract had total clearance by the fourth day, while rats treated with the standard drug had a total clearance by the tenth day. Concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (GPT), aspartate aminotransferase (GOT) and albumin were higher (p ≤0.05) in untreated rats than in treated rats. Also, a significant reduction (p ≤0.05) in PCV, hemoglobin concentration, RBC count, and WBC count of the infected groups was observed as compared to the normal group, which were increased upon treatment with the extract. These results suggest that aqueous extract of O. gratissimum is a potent antimicrobial agent against S. typhi with hepatoameliorative potentials and a restorative effect on hematological parameter.