Abstract

Plants continue to be a major source of medicines, as they have been throughout human history. Ocillium basilicum has been used since ancient times as a medicine and food and it is known that the antioxidant effect of O. basilicum is beneficial to protect tissue and decreasing carcinogeniceffect of electromagnetic field (EMF), so it was hypothesized that this herb might also provide protection to ovarian tissue against  reactive oxygen spaces (ROS). Female wistar rats (n = 40) were allocated to four groups, a control group (n = 10) and three treatment groups (n = 30). The first treatment group received O. basilicum extract (1.5 g/kg body weight), the second extract group received O. basilicum extract (1.5 g/kg body weight) and EMF exposure at 50 Hz for 40 consecutive days, whilst the third group received only EMF exposure for 40 consecutive days. At the conclusion of the test period, rat ovary tissues were removed from all group members. Ovary tissue preparation was performed and analyzed for apoptosis. There was a significant increase in apoptosis in EMF group when compared with other groups (P<0.05). EMF has negative effect on ovary histology in rats by increasing fibrosis and vein congestion. However, these side effects are less seen in the EMF group that received O. basilicum extract. Usage of O. basilicum extract could be one of the useful methods as antioxidant therapy against  EMF exposure in  industrial  area.

Key words: Apoptosis, electromagnetic field (EMF), fibrosis, Ocimum basilicum, ovary.