Abstract:
All substances have the potential to be toxic if given to humans and other living organisms in certain conditions and at certain doses or levels. The toxic and adverse effect of traditional medicines may persist long and may not be immediately detected, even, when the desire effect is forgotten. There is therefore the need to evaluate the safety profile of this plant on different body organs. In this study the effect of sub-acute administration of Ocimum canum on the brain, spleen, lungs and stomach were evaluated. Rats of either sex were selected. Group 1 received distilled water (10 ml/kg), while group 2, 3 and 4 received Ocimum canum 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively. Animals were kept in standard cages and given access to the extract, water and food orally for 28 days, after which they were weighed and sacrificed. Blood was collected by cardiac puncture and taken immediately for hematological and chemo pathological analysis. The brain, spleen, lungs and stomach were also harvested for histological study of the effect of the plant using haematotoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining technique. There was Significant (P<0.05) decrease in RBC, HGB, MCV, while there was no change in the level of neutrophiles, basophiles, eosinophiles and platelets. The brain, lungs, spleen and stomach were observed to be slightly significantly (p<0.05) increased in rats with dose level of 100 mg/kg. Histopathological examination of the brain, stomach and lungs showed normal features at all doses. The spleen showed Slight lymphocyte hyperplasia at all doses and normal features at the control (10 ml/kg). Though result of the study suggests that the plant may be safe, care should still be ensured when consumed for a sustained period of time.
