Introduction: Fluoride contamination was observed in groundwater’s of India, Pakistan,
China, Indonesia and several other countries. In India the states like Andhra Pradesh,
Telangana, Rajasthan, Haryana etc are contaminated with fluoride. Approximately
68 million people are suffering from fluorosis in India. The current study was done to know
the antioxidant effect, anti-fluorosis and free radical scavenging property of
Ocimum
sanctum (OS). Methods: Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx),
glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-s-transferase (GST), catalase
(CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), alanine aminotransferase (AAT), alkaline phosphatase
(ALKP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and flurosis markers phosphorus (P4
) and
calcium (Ca) are estimated in all groups. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH),
hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide (H 2O2
), Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry
(GC-MS) was analyzed in methanolic extract of
Ocimum sanctum. Results: SOD,
GR, GSH, GPx CAT, activities and Ca levels are decreased in sodium fluoride (NaF)
intoxicated rats. Whereas MDA, ALKP AST, AAT, and P4 levels are increased in NaF
rats. However,
Ocimum phenolic fraction treatment normalized the antioxidant enzymes,
hepatic markers and flurosis markers in NaF intoxicated rats. DPPH, H 2O2 and hydroxyl
radical of ocimum posses potent free radical scavenging activities. GC – MS studies of
Ocimum sanctum showed the presence of many bioactive compounds like Caryophyllene
oxide, 2-(2-Propenyl)-m-anisidine, 2H-Pyan-2-one, 5,6-Dihydro-4-(2-methyl-3-methylene-
1-buten-4-yl etc. Further, histopathological observations prove that ocimum protects
the hepatic tissue from NaF intoxication. Conclusion: Our study proves that
Ocimum
sanctum phenolic fraction protects the hepatic tissue from Na F induced fluorosis in rats.
Key words:
Ocimum sanctum, Antioxidant Enzymes, Fluorosis markers, Liver markers,
GC-MS analysis, Rats.