Evaluation of Anaesthetic Effect of Commercial Basil Ocimum basilicum on Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Embryos

Essential oils (EOs) are natural compounds used in various fields such as traditional medicine, gastronomy, and agriculture, often against plant animal parasites. In the present study, toxic pathological effects of basil (Ocimum basilicum) essential oil on development zebrafish embryos was investigated. The manufacturer datasheet reported linalool eugenol major compounds. were evaluated through a embryo toxicity test (ZFET) following OECD n°236 guidelines. Embryos exposed to different concentrations (50, 100, 200 μL/L). Results showed mortality experimental groups dose-dependent manner. Moreover, higher concentration several alterations; particularly, delayed hatching, pericardial edema, significant reduction heart rate after 96 h post-fertilization (hpf) compared control group. here suggest an anaesthetic effect O. basilicum at low concentrations, due possible synergist main components which act GABAergic system evoking bradycardia.