The Possible Protective Effect of Ocimum Basilicum L. Aqueous Extract on Aspirin Induced Damage of Gastric Mucosa in Adult Male Albino Rats: Histological and Ultrastructural Study

Background and Objectives: One of the new strategies to limit the gastric mucosal injury induced by aspirin is adding
antioxidant. Therefore, our aim was to detect histological changes that may occur in fundic mucosa of adult male albino rats
given aspirin and the protective role of Ocimum Basillicum administration.
Materials and Methods: Thirty adult male albino rats were classified into three groups: Group I (control group, which were
subdivided into two equal subgroups, Group II (aspirin treated group, given aspirin in a dose of 12.5 mg/kg by orogastric tube
for 4 weeks) and Group III (coadministration group, given aspirin in the same previous dose in concomitant with Basil in a
dose of 200 mg/Kg b.w by orogastric tube).
Results: Fundic mucosa of aspirin treated group showed disorganized fundic glands, desquamation of surface epithelial cells,
mononuclear cell infiltration and congested blood vessels. Many parietal cells exhibited small nuclei with increased amount of
heterochromatin, dilated canaliculi containing few short microvilli and vacuole-like structures. Many eosinophils were seen in
lamina propria. Many chief cells appeared with shrunken pyknotic nuclei and vacuolated cytoplasm. Statistically significant
increase in the mean area percent of collagen fibers and decrease in the mean thickness of mucous film in PAS stained sections
of fundic mucosa of aspirin treated group. These changes were reduced in the coadministration group.
Conclusion: Ocimum Basilicum aqueous extract has beneficial protective effects against the deleterious effects of aspirin on
the fundic mucosa. Therefore, it may be a suitable nutritional supplement or therapeutic drug to protect against aspirin-induced
gastric damage.