PHYTOCHEMICAL EXAMINATION, ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS, VITAMIN PROFILE, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES OF OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM (SCENT LEAVES) STEM EXTRACT
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Abstract
Ocimum gratissimum (Scent leaves) stem barks, a widely used medicinal herb, was investigated for its phytochemical composition, elemental analysis, vitamin profile, antioxidant activities, and anti-inflammatory activities. The stem bark of the plant was
successfully extracted with ethyl acetate using maceration techniques. The phytochemical examination, elemental analysis, vitamin profile, antioxidant activities and antiinflammatory activities extract of Ocimum gratissimum were determined using established method. Phytochemical screening of the water extract of the stem bark revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, phenolic compounds, terpenoid, eugenols, protein and reducing sugar, indicating the plant’s rich bioactive profile. Elemental analysis demonstrated significant levels of essential minerals, including calcium (21.70 mg/kg), sodium (14.20 mg/kg), potassium (13.60 mg/kg), magnessium (4.68 mg/kg), and trace elements vital for human health with calcium being the most abundant. Calcium plays a vital role in the body by strengthening bones and teeth. Vitamin profiling showed
appreciable concentrations of both water-soluble vitamins (B and C) and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E). The concentration of vitamin B which includes B1 (0.27 mg/L), B2 (0.27 mg/L), B3 (0.60 mg/L), B6 (1.30 mg/L), and B12 (31.06 mg/L) were present in
moderate amounts except vitamin B12, which showed a slightly higher concentration. The other vitamins (A (77.84 mg/L), C (91.62 mg/L), D (66.33 mg/L), and E (104.48 mg/L)) were found in high concentrations, with vitamin E exhibiting the highest level, highlighting its nutritional relevance. The antioxidant potential were examined using FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power) and Superoxide assays. In the FRAP assay, the extract shows increasing antioxidant power with %inhibition ranging from 36.08% to 66.60% at concentration of 40-160 mg/ml confirming its electron-donating capacity. In the superoxide radical scavenging assay, percentage scavenging ranged from 25.23% to 74.00% at concentration of 40-160 mg/ml, indicating concentration-dependent activity, while in anti-inflammatory studies, the extract effectively inhibited heat-induced haemolysis, with percentage inhibition increasing from 47.78% to 74.24% (40–80 mg/mL), and albumin denaturation, ranging from 55.40% to 64.40% at similar concentrations. These results indicate potent membrane stabilization and protein protection abilities of O. gratissimum stem bark extract. The findings demonstrate that O. gratissimum stem bark is rich in bioactive compounds, essential minerals, and antioxidant vitamins, which synergistically confer strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The significant superoxide scavenging and ferric reducing power, along with inhibition of haemolysis and protein denaturation, validate its traditional use in treating oxidative stress-related disorders and inflammation. Thus, O. gratissimum may serve as a promising source of naturaltherapeutic agents for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.
successfully extracted with ethyl acetate using maceration techniques. The phytochemical examination, elemental analysis, vitamin profile, antioxidant activities and antiinflammatory activities extract of Ocimum gratissimum were determined using established method. Phytochemical screening of the water extract of the stem bark revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, phenolic compounds, terpenoid, eugenols, protein and reducing sugar, indicating the plant’s rich bioactive profile. Elemental analysis demonstrated significant levels of essential minerals, including calcium (21.70 mg/kg), sodium (14.20 mg/kg), potassium (13.60 mg/kg), magnessium (4.68 mg/kg), and trace elements vital for human health with calcium being the most abundant. Calcium plays a vital role in the body by strengthening bones and teeth. Vitamin profiling showed
appreciable concentrations of both water-soluble vitamins (B and C) and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E). The concentration of vitamin B which includes B1 (0.27 mg/L), B2 (0.27 mg/L), B3 (0.60 mg/L), B6 (1.30 mg/L), and B12 (31.06 mg/L) were present in
moderate amounts except vitamin B12, which showed a slightly higher concentration. The other vitamins (A (77.84 mg/L), C (91.62 mg/L), D (66.33 mg/L), and E (104.48 mg/L)) were found in high concentrations, with vitamin E exhibiting the highest level, highlighting its nutritional relevance. The antioxidant potential were examined using FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power) and Superoxide assays. In the FRAP assay, the extract shows increasing antioxidant power with %inhibition ranging from 36.08% to 66.60% at concentration of 40-160 mg/ml confirming its electron-donating capacity. In the superoxide radical scavenging assay, percentage scavenging ranged from 25.23% to 74.00% at concentration of 40-160 mg/ml, indicating concentration-dependent activity, while in anti-inflammatory studies, the extract effectively inhibited heat-induced haemolysis, with percentage inhibition increasing from 47.78% to 74.24% (40–80 mg/mL), and albumin denaturation, ranging from 55.40% to 64.40% at similar concentrations. These results indicate potent membrane stabilization and protein protection abilities of O. gratissimum stem bark extract. The findings demonstrate that O. gratissimum stem bark is rich in bioactive compounds, essential minerals, and antioxidant vitamins, which synergistically confer strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The significant superoxide scavenging and ferric reducing power, along with inhibition of haemolysis and protein denaturation, validate its traditional use in treating oxidative stress-related disorders and inflammation. Thus, O. gratissimum may serve as a promising source of naturaltherapeutic agents for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.
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