The aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum leaves ameliorates acetic acid-induced colitis via improving antioxidant status and hematological parameters in male Wistar rats

Figures & data

Table

Score	Observation
0	no damage
1	localized hyperemia with no ulcers
2	linear ulcer with no significant inflammation
3	linear ulcer with inflammation at one site
4	linear ulcer with inflammation, the size of ulcer <1 cm
5	multiple inflammations and ulcers, the size of ulcer >1 cm

Table 1 Phytochemical ingredients of aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum leaves.

Phytochemical constituents	mg/g	Percentage (%) composition
Alkaloids	3.54 ± 0.34	0.45
Tannins	12.05 ± 1.05	1.11
Saponins	20.56 ± 0.03	2.05
Flavonoid	25.06 ± 0.03	2.10
Cardiac Glycoside	9.02 ± 0.90	1.00
Terpenoids	10.05 ± 0.56	1.10
Total phenolic (gallic acid equivalent) (mg/100 g) and total flavonoid content (quercetin equivalent) (mg/100 g)
Total phenolic content	90.03 ± 0.60
Total flavonoid content	50.04 ± 0.45

Values were expressed per g of plant extract and are means of triplicate (n = 3) determination ± standard deviation.

Fig. 1 Effects of AEOGL on percentage weight gain of rats induced colitis by acetic acid. Values are given as Mean ± SEM (n = 5) * = significantly different from control group (p < 0.05); ^α = significantly different from acetic acid group (AA) (p < 0.05).

Table 2 Effects of AEOGL on diarrhea score and ulcer parameters of rats induced colitis by acetic acid.

Groups	Diarrhea score	CMDI (mg/cm)	Ulcer score (units)
Group 1	–	–	–
Group 2 (Acetic Acid)	4.40 ± 0.10	3.80 ± 0.20	5.40 ± 0.10
Group 3 (AA + 200 mg/kg AEOGL)	2.00 ± 0.20^α	2.40 ± 0.25^α	3.00 ± 0.20^α
Group 4 (AA + 400 mg/kg AEOGL)	2.00 ± 0.01^α	1.00 ± 0.32^αβ	2.00 ± 0.10^α

Values are given as Mean ± SEM (n = 5). α = significantly different from Group 2 (acetic acid group) (p < 0.05); β = significantly different from Group 3 (p < 0.05).

Table 3 Effects of AEOGL on hematological parameters of rats induced colitis by acetic acid.

Parameters	Group 1 (Control)	Group 2 (Colitis Control)	Group 3 (AA + 200 mg/kg AEOGL)	Group 4 (AA + 400 mg/kg AEOGL)
WBC (×10^3) (/µL)	6.80 ± 0.374	10.20 ± 0.837^*	7.00 ± 0.758^α	6.80 ± 0.335 ^α
NEU (×10^3) (/µL)	2.50 ± 0.000	5.10 ± 0.001^*	4.21 ± 0.010*	3.61 ± 0.141^β
LYM (×10^3) (/µL)	7.40 ± 0.400	2.80 ± 0.490^*	5.00 ± 0.100^*^α	5.20 ± 0.490^*^α
GRAN (×10^3)	2.00 ± 0.316	3.90 ± 0.120^*	2.10 ± 0.245^α	2.00 ± 0.100^α
RBC (×10^6) (/µL)	7.80 ± 0.200	6.08 ± 0.200^*	7.01 ± 0.245^*^α	7.00 ± 0.050^*^α
HB (g/dl)	16.90 ± 0.510	14.04 ± 0.245^*	15.70 ± 0.045^*^α	15.60 ± 0.145^*^α
PLT (×10^3) (/µL)	641.00 ± 39.657	559.80 ± 22.557	567.40 ± 10.717	543.00 ± 25.03

Values are given as Mean ± SEM (n = 5).

* = significantly different from Group 1 (control group) (p < 0.05);

α = significantly different from Group 2 (acetic acid group) (p < 0.05).

β = significantly different from Group 3 (AA + 200 mg/kg AEOGL) group (p < 0.05). WBC = White blood cell, NEU = Neutrophil, LYM = Lymphocyte, GRAN = Granulocyte, RBC = Red blood cell, HB = Hemoglobin, PLT = Platelet Count.

Fig. 2 Effects of AEOGL on nitric oxide (NO) of rats induced colitis by acetic acid. Values are given as Mean ± SEM (n = 5); * = significantly different from control (p < 0.05); α = significantly different from acetic acid group (AA).

Fig. 3 Effects of AEOGL on myeloperoxidase (MPO) of rats induced colitis by acetic acid. Values are given as Mean ± SEM (n = 5); * = significantly different from control (p < 0.05); α = significantly different from acetic acid group (AA) (p < 0.05).

Fig. 4 Effects of AEOGL on superoxide dismutase (SOD) of rats induced colitis by acetic acid. Values are given as Mean ± SEM (n = 5); * = significantly different from control (p < 0.05); α = significantly different from acetic acid group (AA) (p < 0.05).

Fig. 5 Effects of AEOGL on reduced glutathione (GSH) of rats induced colitis by acetic acid. Values are given as Mean ± SEM (n = 5); * = significantly different from control (p < 0.05); α = significantly different from acetic acid group (1 day AA) (p < 0.05).

Fig. 6 Photomicrographs of colon tissues showing the effects of AEOGL administration following acetic acid-induced colitis. Photomicrograph of the colon of Control (CN), Acetic Acid (AA), AA + 200 mg/kg and AA + 400 mg/kg. CN shows presence of intact T-lymphocytes and intraepithelial lymphocytes. Abundant or proportionate goblet cells and absorptive cells. In contrast, AA shows severe mucosal atrophy, hyperchromatic nuclei (black arrow), loss of goblet cells, crypts distortions and abscesses (red arrow), hyperemia and tissue hemorrhage (yellow arrow). 200 and 400 mg/kg (Groups 3 and 4) AEOGL treated group showed greater signs of improvement, revealing higher/greater numbers of crypts/glands. They showed high glandular/mucosal height (black arrow), prominent intraepithelial lymphocytes, signs of crypt distortions and abscesses (red arrow). (H & E Stain; ×100 & 400).