Anthracene is one of a group of chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Anthracene can vary in appearance from a colorless to pale yellow crystals, consisting of three fused benzene rings [1]. PAHs were among the first discovered environmental pollutants and carcinogens. PAHs are widely found in the air, food and drinking water [2]. Inhalation of particleborne or gaseous PAHs occurs through tobacco smoke, automobile exhausts, and combustion processes, which include burning of coal, oil, and biomass [3]. Industries where exposure to PAHs is likely to occur include coke ovens and coal tar use, iron and steel works, aluminum works, foundries, carbon electrode and carbon black manufacture, asphalt manufacture and use, and many others. In these industries inhalation of volatile compounds or of particles with adsorbed PAHs and dermal absorption of mixtures containing PAHs may be important routes of exposure [4]. The non-occupational exposure to PAHs for a non-smoking person can be associated with diet, mainly through cereals, vegetables and cooked food especially that prepared on open flame as barbecued meat [5]. Ocimum gratissimum is a herbaceous plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family commonly known as wild, sweet basil, or clove basil [6]. O. gratissimum has been used extensively in the traditional style of medicine in many countries, as well as for medicinal, condiment, and culinary purposes. Decoctions of the leaves are used to treat mental illness, convulsions, fungal infections, catarrh and fever, barrenness, as a diaphoretic and an antipyretic, and for its anti-inflammatory activity [7]. O. gratissimum is an antioxidant with volatile oils that contain phenolic eugenols, saponins, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, linalool, and alkaloids as pharmacologically active agents. These active agents confer on it antioxidative, chemotherapeutic, antispasmodic, and analgesic actions [8]. O. gratissimum leaves have hypolipidemic activity as they decrease the serum lipid profile. Moreover, flavonoids and alkaloids found in O. gratissimum have a better effect in combating the adverse effects of hypercholesterolemia on the testes of male rats [9]. To the best of our knowledge, very few studies have been performed to demonstrate the pulmonary and hepatic injury associated with anthracene exposure. So, the aim of this study was to demonstrate the effect of anthracene on the lung and liver of adult male albino rats and evaluate the possible protective role of basil.