Saba Saleem, Saba Amjad, Sibgha Fatima, Noor Ijaz, Kanwal Sharif, Sitwat Amna.
Effect of ocimum basilicum in prevention of murine cyclophosphamide induced vascular congestion of ovarian medulla.
Pak Postgrad Med J Jan ;33(4):93-8.

Background: Cyclophosphamide is one of the alkylating chemotherapeutic drugs used in cancer patients that exhibits antifertility effects on female gonads. Ocimum Basilicumis a natural herb rich in polyphenols and is known to improve fertility. Objective: To determine the role of a natural herb, Ocimum basilicum extract, as a protective agent against cyclophosphamide induced congestion in ovarian medulla. Methods: This experimental study was done in Sheikh Zayed Postgraduate Medical Institute, Department of Anatomy. Forty-Five adult female albino rats were divided in control group A, experimental groups B and C each having 15 rats. Group A rats received single dose of 150 mg/kg normal saline intraperitoneally on 8th day of experiment, while group B was given single intraperitoneal dose of 150 mg/kg cyclophosphamide at day 8 of experiment. Group C rats were pretreated with methanolic basil (Ocimum basilicum) seeds extract for 7 days followed by single intraperitoneal dose of 150 mg/kg cyclophosphamide at day 8 of experiment. All the rats were dissected 48 hours after the last dose. Results: Cyclophosphamide caused congestion of blood vessels in ovarian medulla in group B and C. Congestion of ovarian medulla in group B when compared with control group A was highly significant with p-value <0.001. When observed in experimental group C, there was slight improvement in congestion of blood vessels. When compared with the group B, the difference was not significant having p-value 0.229.Conclusion:The results of the present study showed that basil seeds showed slight improvement in vascular congestion in ovarian medulla, when used with Cyclophosphamide as a preventive agent.

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