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