Work

American Basil, Ocimum americanum, Has Neuroprotective Properties in the Aging Process

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate neuroprotective effects and potential mechanisms of action of Ocimum americanum L. Methods: Ocimum americanum ethanol extract (OAEE) was incubated with hippocampal slices of young adult and late middle-aged male Wistar rats exposed to H2O2; an acute treatment with OAEE was evaluated in aversive memory performance and neurochemical parameters, such as hippocampal cellular oxidative state and anticholinesterase activity and a diet supplementation of OAEE were evaluated on several hippocampal biochemical parameters, such as oxidative state, anticholinesterase activity and neuroinflammatory parameters in young adult and late middle-aged male rats. Results: OAEE reversed the H2O2-induced impaired cellular viability in hippocampal slices from young adult rats, as well as protected hippocampal membranes against H2O2-induced damage in both young adult and late middle-aged Wistar rats, indicating its neuroprotective action. Chronic dietary OAEE supplementation reduced aging-induced increases in reactive species and lipid peroxidation levels in the hippocampus. Indeed this supplementation reduced the TNF-α content in hippocampus from both ages, and IL-1β levels in young adult rats. Conclusions: The antioxidant properties of OAEE here observed, preventing the lipoperoxidation, as well anti-neuroinflammatory effect, might be related to neuroprotective effect. Our findings are relevant evidence to support the idea of the potential use of Ocimum americanum as a nutraceutical or functional food in the aging process.

Source: Nutrients

DOI: 10.3390/nu17142368