Antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) extract in acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

[Display omitted] •Basil extract possess high antioxidant in vitro activity.•Extract lowered lipid peroxidation and potentiated the activity of antioxidant enzymes.•Significant hepatoprotective potential was observed of aqueous basil extract.•Morphometric analysis provides evidence of hepatoprotective effects of basil extract. This research aimed to examine the effects of pre-treatment with basil extract, prepared as an infusion, on acetaminophen-induced acute liver injury in rats. In vitro analysis of total phenolic, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity was performed by spectrophotometric methods. Effects of basil extract on oxidative stress parameters, biochemical markers of liver injury, and liver morphology were determined in an in vivo model of acetaminophen-induced liver injury in Wistar rats. Total phenolic content was 52.61 ± 1.35 mg GAE/g of DE, and flavonoid content was 0.5 ± 0.2 mg QE/g of DE. IC50 values ranged from 0.22 to 45.76 μg/ml for DPPH radical, OH radical, H2O2 and lipid peroxidation. Ascorbic acid was used as a positive control. The extract lowered the intensity of lipid peroxidation and potentiated the activity of antioxidant enzymes. In addition, serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were significantly lower in basil extract-treated animals in comparison to respective controls.