Immuno-Protective Effect of Aqueous Extract of Ocimum gratissimum Leaf in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Myelotoxicity in Wistar Rat

The bone marrow is the manufacturing center of blood cells; the suppression of its activity causes a deficiency of blood cells. This condition can rapidly lead to life-threatening infections. Ocimum gratissimum plays a vital role in preventing some disease conditions, but its hematological effects on the bone marrow have not been documented much. This study is designed to investigate the immuno-protective activity of the aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum in cyclophosphamide-induced myelotoxicity. Twenty-four Wistar rats aged two to three months, weighing 170-200 g were used for the study. The rats were divided into six groups of four rats each, labeled A to F. The rats in the control group (group A) were given feed and water. Group B was administered with 3 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide intraperitoneally daily for seven days to induce myelotoxicity. Groups C and D were treated daily with 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of the extract for fourteen (14) days respectively. Groups E and F were treated with the extract for seven (7) days and then induced and treated with myelotoxicity and extract simultaneously for the next seven (7) days. On the 15th day, blood samples (3.0 ml) were collected from each rat through the retro-orbital plexus. Also, the bone marrow was harvested and analyzed using a standard histological procedure. Data were analyzed with Pearson’s correlation test and multivariate analysis of variance using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 and results were expressed as mean ± SD. Myelotoxicity was achieved in Group B rats. Group E and F rats showed a significant increase in hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), and total white blood cell count (TWBC) compared with Group B. The Group C and D rats revealed a significant increase in Hb, Hct, and TWBC when compared with group A. Aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum may possess immuno-protective properties when orally administered in cyclophosphamide-induced bone marrow suppression.