Effect of Ocimum sanctum on noise induced changes in neutrophil functions.

The effect of ethanolic extract of Ocimum sanctum was studied on the noise stress induced changes in albino rats. Acute noise stress caused leukopenia, increased corticosterone level and enhanced the neutrophil functions as indicated by an increase in the Candida phagocytosis and Nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction. Pretreatment with the O. sanctum Linn. (OS) extract brought back the stress altered values to normal levels indicating the stress alleviating effect of O. sanctum.