Methanol Extract of Ocimum Gratissimum Protects Murine Peritoneal Macrophages from Nicotine Toxicity By Decreasing Free Radical Generation, Lipid and Protein Damage and Enhances Antioxidant Protection

Abstract

In the present study, methanol extract of Ocimum gratissimum Linn (ME-Og) was tested against nicotine-induced murine peritoneal macrophage in vitro. Phytochemical analysis of ME-Og shown high amount of flavonoid and phenolic compound present in it. The cytotoxic effect of ME-Og was studied in murine peritoneal macrophages at different concentrations (0.1 to 100 µg/ml) using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. To establish the protective role of ME-Og against nicotine toxicity, peritoneal macrophages from mice were treated with nicotine (10 mM), nicotine + ME-Og (1 to 25 µg/ml) for 12 h in culture media. The significantly (p < 0.05) increased super oxide anion generation, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyls, oxidized glutathione levels were observed in nicotine-treated group as compared to control group; those were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in ME-Og supplemented groups in concentration dependent manner. More over, significantly (p < 0.05) reduced antioxidant status due to nicotine exposure was effectively ameliorated by ME-Og supplementation in murine peritoneal macrophages. Among the different concentration of ME-Og, maximum protective effect was observed by 25 µg/ml, which does not produce significant cell cytotoxicity in murine peritoneal macrophages. These findings suggest the potential use and beneficial role of O. gratissimum as a modulator of nicotine-induced free radical generation, lipid-protein damage and antioxidant status in important immune cell, peritoneal macrophages.

Ocimum gratissimum Linn. Leaf extract inhibits free radical generation and suppressed inflammation in carrageenan-induced inflammation models in rats

“…In this experiment, pretreatment with MEOg prevented the depletion of GSH, which was significantly decreased by carrageenan injection in the air pouch. This effect has also been noted by Mahaptara et al [44], who showed that methanol extract of O. gratissimum increases glutathione in nicotine-induced peritoneal macrophages.…”

Alteration of immune functions and Th1/Th2 cytokine balance in nicotine-induced murine macrophages: Immunomodulatory role of eugenol and N-acetylcysteine

“…However, limited scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of these natural derivatives, and lack of mechanistic understanding has prevented their incorporation into mainstream medicine and their application in human therapy. Eugenol, an important bioactive compound, isolated from O. gratissimum, has a number of beneficial roles [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][41][42][43]. We initially observed its cytotoxic profile in murine peritoneal macrophages by MTT assay, and determined its least comparative cytotoxic concentration to be 15 μg/ml, whereas concentrations higher than 15 μg/ml showed significantly increased cytotoxicity (Fig.…”

“…In our previous lab report, it was clearly established that eugenol, and methanol extract of O. gratissimum can decrease the nicotine induced free radical generation, lipid-protein damage, and enhances antioxidant protection in murine peritoneal macrophages [17,18]. Eugenol is used in common medical practice like dentistry for sedation of toothache, pulpitis, and dental hyperalgesia.…”

Protective Effects of Vitamin C against Nicotine-Induced Oxidative Damage of Rat Liver and Kidney

“…It has been shown that nicotine enhanced lipid peroxidation and the production of reactive oxygen species [5]. A fairly recent study reported that nicotine enhanced the activity of NADPH oxidase as well as myeloperoxidase activity in murine peritoneal macrophages [6]. Other studies reported malfunction of antioxidant defense systems through the reduction of the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase [7].…”