Abstract
Arsenic is a toxic substance that causes tissue damage. It is well-known that exposure to this substance induces oxidative stress and causes liver injury. The present study has been conducted to evaluate the protective role of raw or irradiated basil against arsenic-induced liver damage. Basil leaves were irradiated at a dose of 10 kGy by cobalt-60 gamma rays. Forty-eight female albino rats were divided into six groups where the 'Control' group received distilled water, 'Basil' group received water extract of raw basil, 'Irr. Basil' group received water extract of irradiated basil, 'As' group received arsenic, 'As+Basil' and 'As+Irr. basil' groups received a water extract of either raw or irradiated basil along with arsenic. Results showed that exposure basil leaves to gamma-irradiation increased their antioxidants. Exposure of rats to arsenic resulted in increased hepatic enzymes as well as increased hepatic oxidative stress with a decline in hepatic antioxidants. The administration of raw or irradiated basil to arsenic-exposed rats has significantly reduced serum enzyme activity accompanied by an improvement in the liver's antioxidant/oxidant status. In conclusion, our findings showed that radiation is effective in improving basil antioxidants. Furthermore, raw or irradiated basil can protect against hepatic injury caused by arsenic.
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