Ocimum gratissimum Leaves Aqueous Extract Can Minimize Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion and Reperfusion-Induced Injury in Rat’s Brain

Background and Aim: Ocimum gratissimum is widely used in traditional medicine for its good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Stroke is an important factor of disability and death worldwide causing brain injury through oxidative stress and inflammation. The present study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of Ocimum gratissimum on middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion-induced brain injury in rat. 
Experimental Procedure: The rats (48) were divided into 8 groups of 6 animals each and treated as followed: 3 groups receiving distilled water (10 mL/kg); one piracetam (250 mg/kg) and 4 groups receiving the plant extract (30, 60, 120 and 240 mg/kg) for 3 days. On the fourth day, ischemia by middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO) surgery was performed on the groups receiving piracetam and extract. As for the 3 groups receiving distilled water, one was not operated; one was operated without MCAO (sham operated) while the last one was operated with MCAO. The temperature, neurological function through behavioral tests, heat sensibility, and open arena tests were assessed. Inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were analyzed in the region of the brain affected by MCAO. 
Results and Conclusion: Three days pretreatment with the plant extract prevented the drop of temperature and heat sensibility, reduced the neurological score and associated anxiety-like behavior. The extract also prevented inflammation and oxidative stress induced by MCAO in the brain. All these observations suggest that Ocimum gratissimum by its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potencies can protect the brain against ischemic stroke-induced brain injury.