The Essential Oil of Ocimum americanum from Senegal and Gambia as a Source of Methyleugenol for the Control of Bactrocera dorsalis, Fruit Fly

The fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) is one of the most important pests in all mango-producing areas, particularly in West Africa. In Senegal, O. americanum leaves have been used for several years to control this fly. However, to our knowledge, no chemical studies have been carried out. Thus, the aim of this study is to determine the chemical composition of the essential oil of O. americanum leaves collected in Senegal and Gambia. The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation of these leaves is analyzed by GC/FID and GC/MS. Yields of essential oils from O. americanum leaves are 3.84% and 2.13%, respectively. Analysis of these essential oils by GC/FID and GC/MS allowed the identification of 23 compounds representing almost 100% of the total compositions. These essential oils are mainly dominated by methyleugenol (72.0% and 75.8%, respectively). Other components in significant percent are trans-β-caryophyllene (13.9% and 13.0%, respectively), germacrene D (4.1% and 3.7%, respectively), β-elemene (3.3% and 0.9%, respectively). Due to the high methyleugenol content, this study explains the attractive potential of O. americanum towards B. dorsalis. In perspective, we plan to evaluate the attractive effect of the essential oil and leaf powder of O. americanum against B. dorsalis, a real pest of mango orchards in Senegal.

Preservation Potentials of Essential Oils of Ocimum basilicum and Ocimum gratissimum from Two Agro-Ecological Zones on Freshwater Smoke-Dried Oreochromis niloticus Fish Sold in Some Local Markets in Cameroon

Dried fish are susceptible to bacteria and fungi attack and are liable to chemical changes which cause losses in quality and reduction of shelf-life. It is important therefore to maintain the quality of fish because continuous consumption of contaminated fish and their products may predispose consumers to health hazards. Maintenance of high quality fish therefore calls for adequate and effective preservation techniques. The study examined the effectiveness of essential oils of Ocimum basilicum and Ocimum gratissimum from two Agro-ecological zones of Cameroon in limiting the microbial proliferation and preserving the quality of smoke-dried Oreochromis niloticus fish stored at 25˚C for two months. The plant materials were harvested from the Western Highlands and Monomodal Humid Forest agroecological zones of Cameroon. Extraction of the essential oil from the plants was done by hydro-distillation. The fish species (Oreochromis niloticus) used in this study was chosen based on a survey study on the most consumed species of freshwater smoke-dried fish in the Western Highlands and Monomodal Humid Forest Agro-ecological zones of Cameroon. Heterotrophic bacteria counts, fungi counts and Enterobacteriaceae counts were used to assess the level heterotrophic bacteria, fungi and Enterobacteriaceae respectively in the fish samples during storage and were done by culture techniques using total plate count agar, potato dextrose agar and violet red bile glucose agar respectively. Total volatile basic nitrogen, peroxide value, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance assays were used as spoilage indices to assess the nutritional quality of the fish during storage. From the survey study, Oreochromis niloticus was the most consumed smoke-dried fish in the Western Highlands (35.45%) and Monomodal Humid Forest (34.55%) agroecological zones. All the EOs caused a significant reduction in the microbial loads, total volatile basic nitrogen, peroxide value, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance of smoke-dried Oreochromis niloticus as storage progressed. However, the reduction in these values was more pronounced in samples treated with essential oils of O. gratissimum from the Western Highlands, with heterotrophic bacteria, fungi and Enterobacteriaceae counts being 5.89, 6.97 and 4.59 log10 cfu/g respectively at the end of the storage period. This was followed by essential oils of O. gratissimum from the Monomodal Humid Forest with heterotrophic bacteria, fungi and Enterobacteriaceae counts being 6.11, 7.79 and 4.86 log10 cfu/g respectively at the end of the storage period. Also, essential oils of O. gratissimum from the Western Highlands was more effective in preserving the fish quality as lowest total volatile basic nitrogen (12.29 mg/100g), peroxide value (2.79 mEq O2·Kg−1) and thiobabituric reactive substance (1.695 mg MDA/Kg) values were observed for fish samples treated with this extract at the end of the storage period. This was followed by essential oils of O. gratissimum from the Monomodal Humid Forest with total volatile basic nitrogen (14.95 mgN/100g), Peroxide value (3.23 mEq O2·Kg−1) and thiobabituric reactive substance (2.354 mg MDA/Kg) at the end of the storage period. From the results obtained, essential oils from O. gratissimum were more effective than that from O. basilicum in the two agroecological zones and should be considered as natural alternative to chemical preservatives for further application in food preservation.

Ocimum sanctum extract preserves neuronal echotexture and controls seizure in lithium-pilocarpine induced status epilepticus rats

Objective:To investigate the effect of Ocimum sanctum hydroalcoholic extract(OSHE)on seizure control and neuronal injury in rats with lithium-pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus(SE).Methods:SE was induced by administering lithium chloride followed by pilocarpine 24 h later.OSHE was administered either alone or in combination with valproate(VPA)3 days before SE induction until 14 days post-SE induction.Seizure parameters were recorded on day 1(0-3 h),day 1-3 and day 4-14 post-SE.On day 14 post-SE,neurobehavioural tests(elevated plus maze and passive avoidance)were done followed by total antioxidant capacity,neuron-specific enolase,immunohistochemistry,and electron microscopic assessment in the hippocampus and cortex tissue.Results:OSHE+VPA provided more significant seizure protection(75%)than VPA(62.5%),OSHE(62.5%),or SE control(12.5%)(overall P=0.003).The latency to stage-3/4 seizures was increased and the number of stage-3/4 seizures was reduced in all treatment groups compared to the SE control group(P=0.002 and<0.001,respectively).The OSHE+VPA group also had better memory retention than other treatment groups(P<0.001)in the passive avoidance test.Total antioxidant capacity level was significantly higher and neuron-specific enolase was lower in the OSHE and OSHE+VPA groups compared to the SE control group.Electron microscopic study showed significant myelin sheath damage(67.5%,P<0.05)and axonal degeneration(51.8%,P<0.001)in the hippocampus of the SE control group,which were alleviated by OSHE or OSHE+VPA treatment.In immunohistochemical analysis,the OSHE,OSHE+VPA,and VPA groups had a significantly higher number of viable neurons and less neuronal loss compared to the SE control in the hippocampus(P<0.001).Conclusions:OSHE either alone or in combination with VPA shows better seizure control by preservation of neuronal echotexture and reducing oxidative stress in the hippocampus.

Effects of Water Stress on Growth and Chlorophyll Contents of Ocimum gratissimum L.(Basil)[Lamiaceae]

Ocimum gratissimum is an essential plant because of its wide food and medicinal usage.Despite its relevance,its mor­pho-physiological compositions are influenced by several abiotic stresses.Hence,this study examined the effects of water stress on the growth and chlorophyll contents of O.gratissimum.Seedlings of O.gratissimum were grown in twenty-four pots,two per pot and were arranged using a complete randomized design with four groups:Very Wet O.gratissimum(VWO),Moderately Water Stress O.gratissimum(MWSO),Strongly Water Stress O.gratissimum(SWSO)and Adequately Watered O.gratissimum(AWO)as control.Fifty centiliters of water was applied in AWO once daily,VWO twice daily,MSWO once in three days and SWSO once a week.Growth parameters:Stem height,number of leaves,leaf area,stem girth and petiole length were determined one week after treatment for six weeks.Chlorophyll contents were determined at two weeks inter­vals after treatment for eight weeks.Descriptive statistics such as mean±standard deviation and one-way Analysis of Var­iance(p<0.05)were done using SAS software.Results obtained showed the highest mean stem height(27.50±0.29 cm),number of leaves(37.00±9.0),leaf area(735.7±4.12 cm^(2)),stem girth(0.40±0.00 cm)and petiole length(7.20±0.40 cm)in VWO.Similar results were obtained for chlorophyll(56.70±0.65 mg^(-1)).It could be concluded that regular watering of O.gratissimum could promote growth and increase chlorophyll contents of the plant.

The assessment of good and bad bacteria in holy basil(Ocimum sanctum)leaves

Holy basil(Tulsi,Ocimum sanctum)is considered to be a pious plant.It is used not only in many of the rituals of Hindus but is also known for its innumerable medicinal qualities.Holy basil leaves(HBLs)are often consumed raw thus it is pertinent to detect the bacteria on Tulsi leaves.This study was conducted to understand the diversity of the aerobically growing microbiome of edible holy basil leaves.A total of 112 samples of leaves were collected from households of six localities in and around Bareilly,India for detecting culturable bacteria growing aerobically.A sum of 579 bacterial isolates belonging to 106 different species was identified.Pantoea agglomerans isolates were detected in 43 samples followed by isolates Virgibacillus pantothenticus(21),Bacillus coagulans(18),Bacillus cereus(17),Geobacillus stearothermophilus(16),Klebsiella pneumoniae(13),Citrobacter freundii(12),Lysinibacillus sphaericus(12),Acinetobacter calcoaceticus(11),Escherichia coli(11),and Xenorhabdus bovienii(11).Isolates of 95 species of bacteria were detected on<10 samples of HBLs.Of 579 isolates,161 isolates detected in 68(60.71%)samples were of putatively good bacteria belonging to eight genera(Bacillus,Brevibacillus,Lysinibacillus,Paenibacillus,Photobacter,Siccibacter,Virgibacillus,Xenoirhabdus)and 23 species.However,418 bacterial isolates detected in 108(96.43%)of the HBL samples were classified as potentially pathogenic for humans and animals belonging to 34 genera and 73 species.There were only four samples(three from Mahanagar and one from Bhojipura)that had no potential pathogenic bacteria detected in this study.The analysis indicated that HBL leaves from the ICAR-IVRI campus had a lower probability(P<0.04)of harbouring good bacteria than samples from Bhojpura,Mahanagar,North City and Rajendra Nagar.Cinnamaldehyde inhibiting 96.72%of the isolates and carvacrol inhibiting 96.37%of the isolates were the best herbal antimicrobials and among antibiotics,meropenem inhibited 98.96%of bacterial isolates.Antimicrobial resistance in non-pathogenic or good bacteria was significantly more common(P<0.01)for ajowan oil but they were more often(P<0.05)susceptible to holy basil oil,lemongrass oil,citral,P.embalica leaf extract,P.longifolia seed oil,nitrofurantoin,ciprofloxacin,chloramphenicol,colistin and minocycline than isolates of potentially pathogenic bacteria.The study concludes that HBLs may harbour both good and bacteria,and should be consumed raw only after proper decontamination.

白花罗勒(Ocimum basilium L.)盾状腺毛分泌过程的超微结构研究

白花罗勒成熟的盾状腺毛头部细胞中 ,质体含量丰富 ,体积较大 ,其中有大量的嗜锇物质积累 ;在分泌过程中 ,分泌细胞出现质壁分离现象 ;嗜锇物质向外分泌的途径有两条 :一条是以胞吐的方式 。

罗勒(Ocimumbasilicum)悬浮细胞系的建立与保持

通过罗勒茎尖培养获得疏松型(CA)、泥状型(CB)和绿色块状型(CC)愈伤组织;以这3种愈伤组织为起始材料,研究了建立罗勒悬浮细胞系的方法、影响因素及继代保持的方法。结果表明:疏松型、泥状型愈伤组织均能建立悬浮细胞系;以泥状型愈伤组织为起始材料,建立悬浮细胞系时间仅需7￣8d。

罗勒(Ocimum basilieum)原生质体的分离和纯化

以罗勒愈伤组织、悬浮培养细胞、无菌苗幼叶为材料,研究了罗勒原生质体的分离纯化方法及影响因素。结果表明:材料的起始状态对原生质体分离的产量、质量均有明显影响;以泥状愈伤组织为材料,其原生质体的产量(以鲜重测)可达1.25×107个/g,存活率大于94%。该原生质体可进一步用于罗勒的原生质体培养与细胞融合。

chemistry and bioactivities of essential oils of some Ocimum species:an overview

Essential oils of different species of the genus Ocimum are natural flavouring materials of commercial importance.The data given in current literature are pertaining to the chemical composition of essential oils of different Ocimum species viz.,Ocimum basilicum Linn.(alt.Ocimum basilicum var.minimum,Ocimum basilicum var.purpurience).Ocimum campechianum Mill.,Ocimum canum Sims.(Ocimum americanum),Ocimum citriodorum,Ocimum gratissimum Linn.,Ocimum kilimandscharicum Linn..Ocimum micranthum Willd.,Ocimum sanctum Linn.,(alt.Ocimum tenuiflorum Linn.),Ocimum selloi Benth..Ocimum trichodon,Ocimum utricifolium from different geographical regions.A considerable difference in chemical composition of a particular species is found,which may be due to their occurrence in different eco-climatic zones and changes in edaphic factors.Attention is also focused on the biological properties of Ocimum oils which are related to their various interesting applications as antimicrobial,antioxidant,repellent,insecticidal,larvieidal,nematicidal and therapeutic(anti-inflammatory,antinociceptive,antipyretic,antiulcer,analgesic,anthelmintic,anticarcinogenic,skin permeation enhancer,immunomodulatory,cardio-protective,antilipidemic) agents.

Synergistic antioxidant interactions between green tea and Ocimum gratissimum

Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant interactions between aqueous infusions of green tea and Ocimum gratissimum at different ratios. Methods: Antioxidant activities of aqueous infusion of green tea and Ocimum gratissimum (leaves) alone or in combination at various proportions (3:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3) were determined by DPPH, ABTS, NO and ex-vivo assays including lipid peroxidation and haemolysis. Total phenolic content and flavonoid content was calculated by Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and aluminum chloride colorimetry method, respectively. A correlation study was also conducted between the antioxidant activity and total phenolic/flavonoid content of various infusions. The interactions were analyzed by combination index applying CompuSyn software. Results: Green tea exhibited high radical scavenging ability as compared to Ocimum gratissimum infusion. Combination of green tea and Ocimum gratissimum exhibited moderate antagonism to strong synergistic interaction at various ratios. A strong correlation was found between total phenolic content/total flavonoid content and antioxidant activities of individual infusions (green tea and Ocimum gratissimum). For binary mixture at different ratios, a weak to strong correlation was observed between total phenolic content and antioxidant activity and almost no correlation between total flavonoid content and antioxidant potential. Conclusions: Overall, green tea and Ocimum gratissimum combination (1:1) displayed the highest antioxidant potential and maximum synergism.

Antifungal activity of Ocimum sanctum Linn.(Lamiaceae) on clinically isolated dermatophytic fungi

Objective:To assess antifungal activity of Ocimum sanctum leaves against dermatophytic fungi. Methods:Antifungal activity of Ocimum sanctum leaves was measured by 38 A NCCLS method. Minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration(MFC) of various extracts and fractions of Ocimum sanctum leaves were also determined.Results:Ocimum sanctum leaves possessed antifungal activity against clinically isolated dermatophytes at the concentration of 200μg/mL.MIC and MFC were high with water fraction(200μg/mL) against dermatophytic fungi used.Conclusions:Ocimum sanctum has antifungal activity,and the leaf extracts may be a useful source for dermatophytic infections.

Aqueous extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum decreases levels of blood glucose in induced hyperglycemic tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus)

Objective:To evaluate,in hyperglycemic tilapia[Oreochromis niloticus(O.niloticus)].the effect of this aqueous extract on blood glucose levels.Methods:The hyperglycemia in O.niloticus was induced by adding glucose to fish pond water.An aqueous extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum (O.tenuiflorum) was prepared by boiling fresh leaves and the doses of 0,40,80,200 and 400 mg per liter of pond water were tested.Results:The blood sugar concentration for tilapia with hyperglycemic induced was an average of 50%higher than the control group.The blood glucose levels in tilapia after the induction of hyperglycemia were higher than the control group for 90 min after the treatment.The treatment with the aqueous extract of O.tenuiflorum dropped the serum glucose level of hyperglycemic tilapia until it was similar to that of the control group and was dose dependent.Conclusions:The results indicated that O.tenuiflorum was endowed with anti-hyperglycemic activity.To our knowledge,this is the first report on the use of fish as a diabetes model to test natural extracts from plants.

Aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum Linn and ascorbic acid ameliorate nicotine-induced cellular damage in murine peritoneal macrophage

Objective:To test the in vitro protective role of aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum Linn. (0.gratissimum) and ascorbic acid against nicotine-induced murine peritoneal macrophage. Methods:Peritoneal macrophages from mice were treated with nicotine(10 mM),nicotine (10 mM) with aqueous extract of O.gratissimum(1 to 25μg/mL),and nicotine(10 mM) with ascorbic acid(0.01 mM) for 12 h in cell culture media,while the control group was treated with culture media.Levels of free radical generation,lipid peroxidation,protein carbonyls,oxidized glutathione levels and DNA damage were observed and compared.Results:Phytochemical analysis of aqueous extract has shown high amount of phenolics and flavonoids compound present in it.The significantly increased free radical generation,lipid peroxidation,protein carbonyls,oxidized glutathione levels and DNA damage were observed in nicotine-treated group as compared to the control group:those were significantly reduced in aqueous extract of O. gratissimum and ascorbic acid supplemented groups.Moreover,significantly reduced antioxidant status in nicotine exposed murine peritoneal macrophage was effectively ameliorated by these two products.Among the different concentration of aqueous extract of O.gratissimum,the maximum protective effect was observed at 10μg/mL which does not produce any significant change in the normal cell.Conclusions:These findings suggest the potential use and beneficial role of O.gratissimum as a modulator of nicotine-induced cellular damage in murine peritoneal macrophage.

Isolation and characterization of anti-diabetic component(bioactivity-guided fractionation) from Ocimum sanctum L.(Lamiaceae) aerial part

Objective:To isolate and characterize antidiabetic component（bioactivity-guided fractionation） from hydro alcoholic extract of Ocimum sanctum（O.sanctum） aerial part.Methods:Ten fractions（F1 - F10） were isolated from hydro alcoholic extract of O.sanctum aerial part by column chromatography.All the fractions Fl to F10 were screened for antidiabetic activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats by estimating serum glucose level and lipid parameters.The isolated bioactive component was elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic(UV,IR,MS,1H and 13C NMR) data analysis.Results:The bioactive fraction（F5） was found to be potent antidiabetic by ameliorating glucose and lipid parameters（total cholesterol,triglycerides,low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol）.The extensive spectroscopic data analysis reveals that,the isolated bioactive compound elucidated as tetracyclic triterpenoid[16-Hydroxy-4,4,10,13-tetramethyl- 17-（4-methyI-pentyl）-hexadecahydro-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one].Conclusions:Our present study concluded that,tetracyclic triterpenoid isolated from aerial part of O.sanctum has a great anti-diabetic potential.

Effect of Ocimum sanctum on the development of protective immunity against Salmonella typhimurium infection through cytokines

Objective:To investigate the protective role of Ocimum sanctum（O.sanctum） leaves against Salmonella typhim.urium（S.typhimurium） infection in rats by inducing TNF-α,IFN-γ& IL-2 cytokines.Methods:Wistar albino rats were fed with aqueous extract of 0.sanctum leaves using 250 mg/kg body weight dose once a day for 20 consecutive days.Control rats were fed with placebo.Rats were infected with LD50 dose of 5.typhimurium infection and monitored for their survival.Bacterial blood burden in both the groups was compared and numbers of activated peritoneal macrophages were counted.Concentration of TNF-α,IFN-γand IL-2 cytokines in serum during different time intervals was assayed by sandwich ELISA.Results:Rats of control group showed a high mortality rate and had higher bacterial blood burden when compared with O.sanctum extract fed rats.There was a significant increase in the number of S.typhimurium engulfed peritoneal macrophages in the peritoneal fluid of O.sanctum fed animals.The protective control against bacterial infection in O,sanctum fed rats was associated with elevated level of TNF-α,IFN-γand IL-2 cytokines in serum.Conclusions:These findings suggest that orally administered O.sanctum leaves extract effectively enhanced activation in macrophage and lymphocytes,depicted by the elevated serum concentration of TNF-α,IFN-γand IL-2 cytokines,leading to induce a protective resistance against Salmonella typhimurium infection.

In vitro antiplasmodial effect of ethanolic extracts of traditional medicinal plant Ocimum species against Plasmodium falciparum

Objective:To identify the possible antiplasmodial compounds from leaf,stem,root and flower extracts of Ocimum canum(O.canum),Ocimum sanctum(O.sanctum) and Ocimum basilicum (O.basilicum).Methods:The O.canum,O.sanctum and O.basilicum were collected from Ramanalhapuram District,Tamil Nadu and the extraction was carried out in ethanol.The filter sterilized extracts(100,30,23,12.5,6.23 and 3.125μg/mL) of leaf,stem,root and flower extracts of O.canum,O.sanctum and O.basilicum were tested for antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum(P.falciparum).The potential extracts were also tested for their phytochemical constituents.Results:The leaf extract of O.sanctum showed excellent antiplasmodial activity(IC_(50) 3538μg/mL) followed by leaf extract of O.basilicum(IC_(50) 4341μg/mL). The leaf extract of O.canum,root extracts of O.sanctum and O.basilicum,the stem and flower extracts of all the three tested Ocimum species showed IC_(50) values between 50 and 100μg/mL Statistical analysis reveals that,significant antiplasmodial activity(P<0.01) was observed between the concentrations and time of exposure.The chemical injury to erythrocytes was also carried out and it shows that,there were no morphological changes in erythrocytes by the ethanolic extract of O.canum,O.sanctum and O.basilicum.The in vitro antiplasmodial activity might be due to the presence of alkaloids,glycosides,flavonoids,phenols,saponins,triterpenoids,proteins,resins, steroids and tannins in the ethanolic extracts of tested plants.Conclusions:The ethanolic leaf extracts of O.sanctum possess lead compounds for the development of antiplasmodial drugs.

Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of essential oils and extracts of sweet basil(Ocimum basilicum L.)plants

The present study was conducted to evaluate the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the essential oils and ethanol extracts of Ocimum basilicum L.obtained from Assiut,Minia and BeniSuef of Egypt.The major constituents of sweet basil essential oils from three locations were linalool,estragole,methyl cinnamate,bicyclosesquiphellandrene,eucalyptol,-bergamotene,eugenol,-cadinene and germacrene D by the method of GC–MS.The relative concentration of these compounds varies.The basil extracts contained appreciable levels of total phenolic contents and exhibited good DPPH radical scavenging capacity higher than that of essential oils.The highest TPC(82.45 mg PE/g)and maximum radical scavenging activity with IC50 value(1.29 mg/mL)was obtained from Minia basil extract.High correlation between antioxidant activity and total phenolic contents of basil extracts was observed.High variation in free radical scavenging activity of essential oils was found.The essential oil from Minia basil showed high activity in DPPH radical scavenging with IC50(11.23 mg/mL)and contained the highest content of phenolic(41.3 mg PE/g).On contrary,low correlation between antioxidant activity and total phenolic contents of basil essential oils from different locations.The results of the present investigation demonstrated significant variations in the antioxidant activities of sweet basil essential oils and extracts from Egypt.

Immunomodulating property of Ocimum sanctum by regulating the IL-2 production and its mRNA expression using rat's splenocytes

Objective:To investigate the regulatory effect of aqueous extract of leaves of Ocimum sanctum on IL-2 cytokine production in vivo and in vitro,and the effect of leaves extract on general blood picture including T& B lymphocytes.Methods:For in vivo studies albino Wistar rats were treated with aqueous crude leaves extract of Ocimum sanctum for 20 consecutive days.Spleen cells were harvested and assayed for IL-2 production by using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and mRNA expression methods.For in vitro study aqueous Ocimum sanctum leaves extract= in different concentrations(25-500μ/mL) was added into culture plates containing ConA stimulated splenocytes.To study the overall effect on blood picture,density gradient purified lymphocytes analysis and conventional methodology for total and differential leukocyte count and hemoglobin level were also done.Results:It indicated that the rats treated with Ocimum sanctum leaves extract had significantly enhanced(P【0.001) ability of spleen cells to secrete IL-2.Investigation in vitro also showed regulation of IL-2 production.Blood study exhibited leucocytosis and augmentation of T& B lymphocytes by 25%approximately.4-5%increase in Hemoglobin value was also noticed.Conclusion:Aqueous Ocimum sanctum leaves extract may have stimulatory effect on T & B lymphocytes particularly on Th 1 subset of lymphocytes as shown by enhancement in IL-2 production.

Hypoglycemic and anti-hyperglycemic study of Ocimum tenuiflorum L.leaves extract in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Objective:To investigate the antidiabetic activity of Ocimum tenuiflorum L.(O.tenuiflorum) leaves used in the traditional medicine management of diabetes in Malaysia.Methods:O.tenuiflorum leaves were extracted sequentially with hexane,chloroform,ethyl acetate,methanol,and water.The extracts were evaluated in terms of antidiabetic activity by using acute,subcutaneous glucose tolerance,and sub-chronic tests in streptozotocininduced diabetic rats.The extracts were also subjected to phytochemical analyses.Results:With an acute dose(1 g/kg),the methanol extracts showed significant reduction(31%) in fasting blood glucose(FBG) of the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.The FBG-decreasing effect of ethyl acetate extract was more rapid than that of the other extracts;the decreasing rates were 20%after 2 h,21%after 3 h,and 8%after 5 and 7 h.After 7 h(31%),the effect of methanol extract on FBG was significantly lower than that of metformin.In the subcutaneous glucose tolerance test,only methanol and hexane extracts showed the similarity of metformin in diabetic rats.After 14 days,the effects of these extracts were similar to those of metformin(63.33%).The total flavonoid and phenolic contents of extracts decreased as the polarity of the extraction solvent increased.Conclusions:The results obtained provide support for a possible use of O.tenuiflorum leaves in managing hyperglycemia and preventing the complications associated with it in type 2 diabetic.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Capacity of Two <i>Ocimum</i>Species Consumed Locally as Spices in Nigeria as a Justification for Increased Domestication

The antioxidant activities of Ocimum basilicum and Ocimum gratissimum consumed as spices in Nigeria were evaluated in a bid to provide better scientific basis for increased domestication efforts on them. Total phenol and flavonoid contents of the spice extracts ranged from 9.09 - 27.41 μg GAE/mg and 5.38 - 22.88 μg RE/mg respectively. The DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities of the spice extracts ranged from 58.43% - 92.37% and 6.27% - 16.67% respectively. The total antioxidant capacities and reducing powers of the extracts (measured as absorbance values) ranged from 0.137 - 0.160 and 0.130 - 0.158 respectively. Generally, Ocimum basilicum maintained superior antioxidant activities to O. gratissimum in all the test assays, and all the extracts showed dose-dependent antioxidant activities. Ascorbic acid, Gallic acid and Rutin used as reference compounds generally showed higher antioxidant activities to the spice extracts except in the hydroxyl radical scavenging assay. Put together, these results confirm that Ocimum basilicum and O. gratissimum extracts possess appreciable natural antioxidant potentials, thereby providing good justification for their increased domestication and consumption.