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Abstract

Background and Objective Limited treatment options made hepatotoxic effect of methotrexate MTX a serious health challenge. In folklore, Ocimum gratissimum is used for the treatment of liver disease. The current study assessed the hepatoprotective effect of the ethanolic leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum EEOG against MTX-intoxicated albino rats. Materials and Methods Forty eight healthy adult albino rats were randomized into 8 groups of 6 rats per group. Rats were pretreated orally with 50, 100 and 200 mg kg1501 of EEOG daily for 5 days and 20 mg kg1501 of MTX intraperitoneal on the 5th day. On the 6th day, rats were weighed, sacrificed and blood was collected. Serum was extracted and evaluated for liver function indices. Liver was excised and assessed for biochemical parameters and pathology. Results The MTX-treated rats showed significant p0.001 alterations in superoxide dismutase, glutathione, catalase, malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase and glutamyl transferase levels when compared to control. The liver of MTX-treated rat showed hepatocyte necrosis. However, the above alterations were mitigated significantly p0.001 and in a dose dependent manner in EEOG pretreated rats. Conclusion Methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats was abrogated by the ethanolic leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum.