Cardiac stimulant activity of Ocimum basilicum Linn. extracts

Objective: To evaluate the cardiac effects of extracts derived from the aerial parts of Ocimum basilicum Linn. Material and Methods: The aerial parts of Ocimum basilicum Linn. were extracted with 95% ethanol and double distilled water. The extracts were screened for their effects on frog-heart in situ preparation. Enzyme studies such as Na/K ATPase, CaATPase and MgATPase were done on the heart tissue aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) were estimated in the heart tissue and serum of albino rats after administering the extracts for 7days. Results: The alcoholic extract produced significant positive ionotropic and negative chronotropic actions on frog heart. The positive ionotropic effect was selectively inhibited by nifedipine. A significant decrease in membrane Na/K ATPase, MgATPase and an increase in CaATPase pointed the basis for the cardiotonic effect. The aqueous extract produced positive chronotropic and positive ionotropic effects which were antagonized by propranolol indicating that these might have been mediated through ß-adrenergic receptors. Nifedipine also blocks the action of the aqueous extract. Conclusion: The alcoholic extract exhibited a cardiotonic effect and the aqueous extract produced a ß-adrenergic effect.