PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF OCMUIM BASILICUM LEAVES EXTRACT ON DIAZINON-INDUCED REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN ALBINO RATS

Saber A. Sakr* and Hany A. Abdelsamei

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate the ameliorative role of the Basil (Ocmuim basilicum) leaves on the testicular damage induced by the organophosphorus insecticide, diazinon in albino rats. Methods: Animals were divided into four groups. Group I was considered as control. Group II was orally given aqueous O. basilicum extract at a dose level of 20 mg/ kg 5 days / week for 6 weeks. Group III was orally given diazinon at a dose of 20mg/ kg.b.wt, 5 days / week for 6 weeks. Group IV: rats were given diazinon followed by oral administration with aqueous O. basilicum extract 5 days/ week for 6 weeks. Animals were sacrificed after 3 and 6 weeks of treatment. Testes were removed and stained with H & E for histological examination and nuclear Ki-67 and bax were demonstrated. MDA, SOD and CAT activity in testes of different groups was evaluated. Results: Diazinon treatment caused many histopathological alterations, inhibition of spermatogenesis and morphometric changes in the testes. Immunohistochemical changes were detected as strong expression of bax in Leydig cells and decreased expression of Ki-67 in nuclei of spermatogonia. Lipid peroxidation marker, MDA was increased while the antioxidant enzymes namely SOD and CAT were decreased. Treating animals with diazinon and O. basilicum extract caused a reduction in testicular alterations caused by diazinon. Moreover, MDA decreased and SOD and CAT increased. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that O. basilicum leaves extract lessens the reproductive alterations induced by diazinon in albino rats and this is may be due to the potent antioxidant effects of its components.

Keywords: Diazinon, Ocmuim basilicum, Testis, Histology, Oxidative stress.