Basil ( <i>Ocimum basilicum</i> ) versus vitamin E: a comparative study on protecting against benzo[a]pyrene-induced toxicity in mice

Background and aim Benzo[a]pyrene causes pronounced systemic and reproductive toxicities. This study compared the protective effect of Ocimum basilicum extract and vitamin E against Benzo[a]pyrene-induced toxicity in male mice by co-treatment and pretreatment protocols.Experimental approach Seventy male mice were divided into 14 groups: negative and vehicle controls; Benzo[a]pyrene alone (20 mg/kg); vitamin E alone (250 mg/kg) or combined with Benzo[a]pyrene; Ocimum basilicum extract alone (100, 200, 300 mg/kg); co-treatment groups (Ocimum basilicum at 100, 200, 300 mg/kg + BaP for 4 weeks); and pretreatment groups (basil at the same doses for 2 weeks followed by 4 weeks of Ocimum basilicum + Benzo[a]pyrene). All treatments were administered orally for 4 weeks.Key findings Benzo[a]pyrene exposure caused extreme toxicity manifested as oxidative stress (decreased TAC and GPx, increased MDA), hepato-renal injury (increased ALT/AST/BUN/creatinine), dyslipidemia, and reproductive damage (decreased sperm motility, increased DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, and protamine deficiency). Vitamin E offered partial and non-significant protection against most parameters, failing to restore bilirubin, creatinine, or sperm DNA integrity. In contrast, Ocimum basilicum extract showed dose- and protocol-dependent protection. Ocimum basilicum at 200–300 mg/kg significantly ameliorated liver enzymes, renal function markers, and lipid profile toward control levels. The prophylactic (pretreatment) protocol was significantly more effective than the co-treatment protocol, as even the lowest dose (100 mg/kg) prevented sperm DNA damage and nephrotoxicity. Ocimum basilicum extract at 200–300 mg/kg substantially improved sperm quality and spermatogenesis parameters (TDI/Johnsen score). Notably, neither Benzo[a]pyrene exposure nor Ocimum basilicum treatment significantly affected serum testosterone levels.Conclusions Ocimum basilicum extracts prevent damage to mice from Benzo(a)pyrene. However, additional research is required to identify mechanisms by which this compound affords the mice additional protection from the damage as well as explore its usefulness in humans as an alternative to the synthetic antioxidants.