The effects of Ocimum basilicum ethanol extract on carrageenan induced paw inflammation in rats

Background: traditionally, ocimum basilicum has been used for its antiinflammatoryactivity. here, the effect of o. basilicum ethanol extract was evaluatedon carrageenan induced paw edema in male wistar rats. methods: o. basilicumethanol extract was achieved through maceration procedure. next, the pawinflammation was induced with 1% carrageenan, subcutaneous, to all groups after 1hof the intrapritoneal injection of o. basillicum extracts (0, 2.5, 5 and 10mg/kg;respectively). the paw thickness was measured at hourly intervals for 4h. finally,histological examination and myeloperoxidase (mpo) activity was assessed in theinflamed paw at the 4thh. moreover, total phenolic and flavonoid content of the extractwas determined. besides, different in vitro antioxidant activities were detected by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (dpph) radical scavenging, nitric oxide radical inhibitionand reducing power methods. results: the extract diminished paw inflammation asindexed by reduction paw thickness (p < 0.001) as well as mpo activity (p < 0.001),which was associated with a marked decrease in tissue edema and leukocyteinfiltration. in addition, values for the total phenolic and flavonoids were calculated as266 mg gallic acid equivalent and 65 mg quercetin equivalent per 100g of o.basilicum fresh plant material. furthermore, the rc50 values for dpph and nitricoxide antioxidant activity of the extract was determined as 118?g/ml and 929.7?g/ml.conclusions: ethanol extract of o. basilicum significantly decreased theinflammatory reaction induced by carrageenan which could be related to itsantioxidant effects.