Protective Effects of Ocimum basilicum Against Atrophic Changes in Graafian Follicles in Cyclophosphamide Induced Ovarian Toxicity

Introduction: Cyclophosphamide is one of the alkylating chemotherapeutic drug used in cancer patients that has antifertility effects on female gonads. Ocimum basilicum is a natural herb rich in polyphenols and is known to improve fertility. Aims & Objectives: The study was designed to evaluate the role of natural herb, Ocimum basilicum extract, as a preventive agent against ovarian follicular toxicity induced by cyclophosphamide. Place and duration of study: This experimental study was performed in the Department of Anatomy, Shaikh Zayed Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore. The duration of study was 8 months. Material & Methods: 45 female albino rats were divided equally in control group A, experimental group B and group C each contained 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: Graafian follicles were atrophied showing atretic granulosa cells in group B when compared with control group A with p value <0.001. However, significant improvement in status of Graafian follicles was observed in group C, when compared with group B with p value <0.025. Conclusion: This study depicts that basil seeds extract can prevent the cellular toxicity in Graafian follicles caused by cyclophosphamide treatment. So the use of basil seeds during chemotherapy can significantly limit its toxic effects on Graafian follicles.