Modulatory Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Ocimum basilicum on the Lipid Profiles and Body Weight of Male Wistar Rats, Exposed to Sodium Arsenite

—Background: Medicinal plants have been employed to prevent and ameliorate many disorders and health conditions including toxicities and failing health conditions. This study aims to investigate the Modulatory Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Ocimum basilicum on the Lipid Profiles and Body Weight of Male Wistar Rats, Exposed to Sodium Arsenite. Methods: The study was carried out using 48 male Wistar rats weighing 160-250g, divided into eight (8) groups, each containing 6 rats. Group 1 served as negative control and received only distilled water. Group 2 was the positive control and received 6mg/kg of body weight of Sodium arsenide only. Groups 3, 4 and 5 received the aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum basilicum (ALEOB) in concentrations of 400mg/kg, 600mg/kg and 800mg/kg of body weight respectively while groups 6, 7 and 8 received 6mg/kg of body weight of Sodium arsenide and ALEOB in concentrations of 400mg/kg, 600mg/kg and 800mg/kg of body weight respectively for 6 weeks. Results: At the end of the experimentation, the animals were weighed and sacrificed and blood samples were collected to determine the biochemical parameters. The ALEOB was found to cause a significant decrease in the concentration of Total cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), while causing a significant increase in High density lipoprotein cholesterol. It was also found to ameliorate the adverse toxicity caused by Sodium Arsenite on TC, TG, HDL-C and VLDL. It also caused an insignificant increase in body weight. Conclusion: The ALEOB was found to have an ameliorative effect on Sodium Arsenide induced toxicity on the lipid profile and body weight of the experimental rats