Objective: This study investigates the impact of Ocimum basilicum in modulating atherogenesis, blood coagulation, and immunological parameters in high-fat diet-induced Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rats.
Materials and Methods: Thirty albino Wistar rats were divided into six groups. Group I (control; male) received a standard rat diet. Group II (NAFLD control; male) was fed a high-fat diet (HFD), groups III and IV were respectively male and female groups fed HFD alongside 100 mg/kg O. basilicum aerial part hydromethanol extract (OCB), group V (male) received 200 mg/kg OCB, and group VI (male) was treated with 20 mg/kg of atorvastatin. Rats were fed HFD for eight weeks, while plant administration commenced in the fifth week and lasted 21 days. The animals were sacrificed under anesthesia, and blood samples were collected via the jugular vein and processed for assays.
Results: Activated partial thromboplastin time was significantly (p<0.05) prolonged in groups administered with OCB compared to NAFLD control. In contrast, there was no difference in prothrombin time (PT) except in the male group treated with 100 mg/kg OCB having prolonged PT. The elevated levels of serum C-reactive proteins, interleukin-6, tissue necrotic factor-α, and angiotensin-converting enzyme, and plasma and liver lipids due to HFD induction, were mitigated by OCB treatment. Liver histology showed the capability of OCB to reverse hepatocyte damage caused by high fats and oxidative stress at an administered dosage of 100 mg/kg.
Conclusion: This study showed that O. basilicum possesses anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-atherogenic activity and could thus be useful in the treatment and management of NAFLD and its complications.