Evaluation of basil extract ( Ocimum basilicum L.) on oxidative, anti-genotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects in human leukocytes cell cultures exposed to challenging agents

• Published in: Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol. 53; no. 1
• Main Authors: Güez, Camila Martins, Souza, Raul Oliveira de, Fischer, Paula, Leão, Maria Fernanda de Moura, Duarte, Jonathaline Apollo, Boligon, Aline Augusti, Athayde, Margareth Linde, Zuravski, Luísa, Oliveira, Luís Flávio Souza de, Machado, Michel Mansur
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sao Paulo Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Ciencias 01-01-2017; Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas; Universidade de São Paulo
• Subjects: Acids; Cell culture; Chromatography; Cytotoxicity; Flavonoids; Free radicals; Lipid peroxidation; Lipids; Medicinal plants/study; Ocimum basilicum/anti-inflammatory properties; Ocimum basilicum/evaluation; Ocimum basilicum/genotoxic effects; PHARMACOLOGY & PHARMACY; Polyphenols; Japan; Ocimum basilicum/genotoxic effects; Ocimum basilicum/anti-inflammatory properties; Medicinal plants/study; Ocimum basilicum/evaluation
• ISSN: 1984-8250; 2175-9790; 1984-8250; 2175-9790
• DOI: 10.1590/s2175-97902017000115098

Ocimum is one of the most important genera of the Lamiaceae family. Several studies about basil and its popular use reveal many characteristics of the herb, including its use as antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial, and cardiovascular agents, among others. In this paper, we evaluated genotoxic, oxidative, and anti-inflammatory parameters from the extract of Ocimum basilicum in different concentrations, using human leukocytes cultures exposed to challenging agents. Our results confirm that the O. basilicum extract acts as an antioxidant and effectively reverts or subjugates the effects of high oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide. These actions are attributed to its composition, which is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids as well as compounds such as rosmarinic acid, all of which have well-known antioxidant activity. We also show that our basil extract presents anti-inflammatory properties, the mechanism of which is a composed interaction between the inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediator and the stimulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Although pharmacodynamics studies are necessary to evaluate the activities in vivo, our results demonstrated that basil could act as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and a possible alternative for medicinal treatment.