The Effect of Ethanol Extract of Basil Leaves (Ocimum sanctum) on Urea and Creatinine Levels in Wistar Strain White Rats (Rattus norvegicus) Induced by Cisplatin

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Background: Cisplatin is the most frequently used antineoplastic agent. Its administration may give rise to a range of adverse effects, among which nephrotoxicity is prominent. Urea and creatinine are biomarkers capable of indicating the presence of renal injury. Basil leaves (Ocimum sanctum) are known to possess a high antioxidant content and may therefore hold potential as an alternative herbal therapy for the prevention of renal injury arising from cisplatin administration. Objective: To determine the effect of the administration of ethanol extract of basil leaves on urea and creatinine levels in Wistar strain white rats (Rattus norvegicus) induced by cisplatin. Methods: This was an experimental study employing a post-test randomised controlled group design, using 25 rats allocated into five groups. Group 1 served as the negative control (1% CMC); group 2 as the cisplatin positive control (5 mg/kg body weight); group 3 as treatment group 1, receiving basil extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight; group 4 as treatment group 2, receiving basil extract at 200 mg/kg body weight; and group 5 as treatment group 3, receiving basil extract at 300 mg/kg body weight. Treatment groups 1, 2 and 3 received basil leaf extract orally for 10 days and were induced with a single intraperitoneal dose of cisplatin on day 5. Urea concentration data were analysed statistically using the one-way ANOVA test followed by the post hoc Tamhane test, whereas creatinine concentration data were analysed using the Kruskal–Wallis test followed by the Mann–Whitney test. Results: Administration of ethanol extract of basil leaves at all doses reduced serum urea and creatinine levels in rats induced with cisplatin 5 mg/kg body weight. The mean urea and creatinine concentrations at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight demonstrated the greatest reduction, with a mean urea value of 119.78 and a mean creatinine value of 1.775. Conclusion: Administration of ethanol extract of basil leaves reduced serum urea and creatinine levels in cisplatin-induced rats, although the reduction was not statistically significant.