Aqueous extract of leaves of
Ocimum gratissimum
(OG) at doses of 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 g/kg was experimentally tested through oral administration twice weekly to rabbits, for four weeks. At the end of the fourth week, the animals were sacrificed after ether anesthesia and transection of the jugular vein. The livers, kidneys and the intestine (jejunum) were removed and fixed In 10% formal saline. Paraffin sections were prepared from these organs and stained with haematoxylin and eosin for histopathological assessment. The extract of OG at all doses showed changes In the intestine which were indicative of Its effects on bowel discharge and mucous secretion. The effect on the kidney was indicative of diuretic activity at all the tested doses. In the liver the extract showed higher necrotic changes at a low dose (0.4g/kg'). The laxative and hepatoprotective potentials of aqueous extract of leaves of Ocimum gratissimum have been discussed.
