Phytochemical study and anti-sickle cell activity of the genus Ocimum

The objective of this study is to determine the chemical composition and evaluate the biological activities (antifalcemic, antibacterial and antioxidant activities) of extracts, essential oils and isolated products of O. basilicum, O. canum and O. gratissimum. Chemical screening showed that the three plants have almost the same secondary metabolite profile but in different concentrations and that saponins were absent in O. canum. TLC performed on the methanolic extract, followed by HPLC, allowed the identification of kæmpferol-type flavonoids and rosmarinic acid which is the major compound in all three plants. Pharmacological screening showed that all the plants tested had anti-sickle cell properties, which are thought to be due to organic acids. The essential oil of O. gratissimum showed bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects on different bacterial strains used. It also appears from this study that the three plants have an anti-free radical activity, of which that of O. gratissimum is superior by the wide field of action of its extracts and its essential oil.