Histological and Immunohistochemical Study on the Toxic Effects of Anthracene on the lung and liver of Adult Male Albino Rats and the Possible Protective Role of Ocimum gratissimum Extract

Anthracene is the simplest tricyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. It has been identified in surface and drinking water, ambient air; exhaust emissions, smoke of cigarettes and cigars and in smoked foods and edible aquatic organisms. It is primarily used as an intermediate in the production of dyes. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the toxic effects of anthracene on the lung and liver of adult male albino rats and evaluate the possible protective role of basil (Ocimum gratissimum). Our results showed that anthracene induced disrupted lung architecture with collapsed alveoli, inflammatory cellular infiltration, congested thickened pulmonary vessels and extravasated red blood cells. There was a significant increase in the percentage area of positive inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) immunoreaction and in the count of alveolar macrophages, compared with the control group. Anthracene induced histological changes in the liver, including proliferation of bile ducts and mononuclear cellular infiltration at the portal tracts. Some hepatocytes appeared swollen with vacuolated cytoplasm, whereas others showed disintegrated nuclei (karyorrhexis). This was confirmed by a significant increase in the mean % area of immunostaining for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and caspase-3. Co-administration of Ocimum gratissimum and anthracene preserved a near-normal lung and liver structure. Abstract