PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING of Ocimum Gratissimum GROWN
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PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF Ocimum gratissimum Supported by GROWN WILD IN ZARIA, NIGERIA H. Musa1*, Z. I. Yashim2, M. Shehu3 and G. S. Mete4 1Department of Botany, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria 2Department of Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria 3Nuhn Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria, Nigeria 4Department of Biology, Federal College of Education, Zaria, Nigeria *Corresponding author: [email protected] Received: January 12, 2018 Accepted: March 25, 2018 Abstract: This study investigated the phytochemical screening of plant parts of Ocimum gratissimum grown in Nigeria. Ocimum gratissimum plants were collected and air dried. Powdered samples of leaves stem and roots were subjected to phytochemical analysis. Roots, seeds and leaves contain alkaloids, flavonoids, saponnins, and cardiac glycosides, but flavonoids was absent in the stem and phlobatannins, tannins and alkaloids were absent in the seeds. The studies showed secondary metabolites that makes the plant useful in medicine especially traditional medicine. Keywords: Ocimum gratissimum, phytochemical, flavonoids, secondary metabolites, leaves Introduction eugenol and thymol, saponins and alkaloids (Gill, 1988). Ocimum gratissimum belongs to order Lamiales, family Aromatic oil from the leaves consist of thymol (32-65%). O. Lamiaceae, genus Ocimum, and species gratissimum. In India, gratissimim is grown for the essential oils in the stem and O. gratissium is known as Tulsi “queen of herbs”. The plant leaves. Eugenol, thymol, citral, geranial and linalool have also became known to Christians as holy basil and was hailed been extracted from the oil (Sulistiarini, 1999). Essential oil as the “king of herbs”. It is known to the Sanskrit as Tulasi. from the plant has been reported to possess an interesting Its common names are tea bush, mosquito plant, and fever leaf spectrum of antifungal properties (Dubey et al., 2000). The of Sierra Leone. In Nigeria, It is known as “efirin” by the whole plant and the essential oil are used in traditional Yoruba people, daddoya ta gida’’ in Hausa for O. gratissimum medicine especially in Africa and India. The essential oil is and by the Igbo’s as “nchanwu’’ also an important insect repellent. O. gratissimum is The Latin name is Ocimum Sanctum “sacred fragrant leaf germicidal and has been widely use in toothpaste and mouth basil” and more recently this species has become known as washes as well as some tropical ointment (Nakamura et al., ocimum tenuiflorum basil with small flowers. Ocimum 1999; Holets et al., 2003; Possoa et al., 2003). It is also used gratissimum is the most recent name (Nakamura el al., 1999). as an excellent gargle for sore throats and tonsillitis. The genera Ocimum has high medical values, most especially It is also used as an expectorant and a cough suppressant. The O.gratissimum. That is why it is highly regarded and even plant extract is used in gastrointestinal helminthes of animal worshipped in India by the Hindus (Elujoba, 2000). Leaves and man (Fakae et al., 2000; Chitwood, 2003). The plant’s and flowers – raw and cooked are used as flavouring (Grieve, carminative properties make it a good choice for stomach 1984; Usher, 1974). They are used especially with tomato upset. It is used as an emetic and for haemorrhoids. The plant dishes, pasta sauces, beans, peppers. The leaves are normally is used for the treatment of rheumatism, paralysis, epilepsy, used fresh but can also be dried for use. A refreshing tea is high fever, diarrhoea, sunstroke, influenza, gonorrhoea and made from the leaves (Lust, 1982). Ocimum gratissimum is mental illness (Dhawan et al., 1977; Abdurahman, 1992; also used in the treatment of stomach discomfort, diarrhoea, Osifo, 1992; Sofowora, 1993). and open wounds. The seed can be eaten as a whole or added The plant is commonly used in folk medicine to treat different to bread dough as flavouring. When soaked in water it diseases such as upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhoea, becomes mucilaginous and can be made into a refreshing headache ophthalmic, skin diseases, pneumonia, cough, fever beverage called sherbet tokhum in the Mediterranean and conjunctivitis (Oliver, 1980). It is used in some parts of (Facciola, 1990). An essential oil obtained from the plant is Nigeria among the Igbo’s in the management of a baby’s cord. used as food flavouring in mustards and sauces (Facciola, It is believed to keep the baby’s cord and wound surfaces 1990, Tanaka, 1976). sterile (Iwu, 1986), O. gratissimum has been reported to be The genus Ocimum comprises of more than 50 species which active against several species of bacteria and fungi (Nwosu are distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, and Okafor, 1995; Nakaruma et al., 1999). Africa and Americas. These plants are commonly found in It is used to ease the pain of child birth and expel the after gardens, compounds, old farms, near villages and often birth. It increases milk in nursing mothers. It is used as a cultivated in various parts of West Africa. In Northern Nigeria treatment of urinary and respiratory ailment. It is used to it is found in Bukuru, Jos, Plateau State, and in Kaduna State reduce indigestion and bad breath. It is used for inflammation and in Kano State. In Western part of Nigeria, It is found in and ring worm, nausea, cramps, vomiting (Onajobi, 1986). Ibadan, Abeokuta and Lagos (Afolabi et al., 2007). It is grown The plants are used to lower stress related high blood in India, Asia and America. The plants grow well in clay and pressure. It is used to control difficult skin diseases like sandy soils. leprosy and infection of the skin (El-Mamood et al., 2008). The plants grow up to 1m in height and are annual with square The plant is used to protect against gastric ulcers, reduces stems, ovate-shaped bright green leaves with toothed margins. dangerous blood sugar level and supports dental and The white two lipped flowers form in whorls on the terminal periodontal health. It also protects against mercury poisoning, spikes, each flower sets a seed capsule with four very small speeds healing of bone fracture (Fakae et al., 2000). round black seeds. Leaves release a strong clove or anise like Current scientific research offers substantial evidence that O. aroma when crushed or rubbed (Onajobi, 1986). O. gratissimum protects and reduces stress, enhances stamina and gratissimum has been reported to contain the terpenoids, endurance, increase the body’s efficient use of oxygen, boost FUW Trends in Science & Technology Journal, www.ftstjournal.com e-ISSN: 24085162; p-ISSN: 20485170; April, 2018: Vol. 3 No. 1 pp. 326 – 328 326 Phytochemical Analysis of Ocimum gratissimum Grown in Zaria immune system, reduces inflammation, protects against environmental conditions where the plant is found growing. radiation damage, lessens aging factor, supports the heart, This may be as a result of the growing season, harvesting lung and liver. It has antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal methods, processing and storage conditions (Sulistiarini, properties, enhances the efficacy of many other therapeutic 1999). treatments and provides a rich supply of anti-oxidants and The seeds of Ocimum gratissimum contained no alkaloids, other nutrients (Doughari and Manzara, 2008). tannins and phylobatannins while flavonoids, saponins and Overall, O. gratissimum is a major premier adaptive, helping cardiac glycosides were present. This could be related to the the body and mind to adapt and cope with a wide range of environmental conditions or the nature of the soil (Table 1). physical, emotional and infectious stresses and restore Absence of flavonoids can be related to the soil nature and disturbed physiological and psychological functions to a environmental conditions. It can also be related to the fact that normal healthy state (Nakamura et al., 1999; Chitwood, flavonoids are organic pigments that gives the plants a red, 2003). violet or blue coloration. Materials and Methods Table 1: Phytoconstituents present in seeds, leaves, stem The seed, leaves, stem and roots of O.gratissimum were and roots of Ocimum gratissimum collected from Wusasa and Samaru in Zaria, Kaduna State Phytoconstituents Seeds Leaves Stem Roots and were taken to the herbarium of the Department of Alkaloids – + + + Flavonoids + + – + Biological Science, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna Tannins – + + + State, for identification. Saponins + + + + The samples of seeds, stems, leaves, roots were dried Cardiac glycosides + + + + separately at room temperature to preserve the active Phlobatannins – + + + constituents. After drying, it was pounded using mortar and – = absent; + = present stored in plastic containers until required. Extraction and determination of phytoconstituents The presence of glycosides like saponins and cardiac glycosides of which, some are known to structurally resemble 75% ethanol was used for the extraction. The powdered sex hormones like oestrogens, gastro gens and androgens are samples of the seeds, leaves, stems and roots of known to protect against gastric infections caused by enteric O.gratissimum were soaked in ethanol at room temperature pathogens (Salmonella paratyphi),thus justifying the use of for 72 h. The contents were filtered with filter paper and the this plant in traditional medicine. (El-Mahmood et al, 2008). filtrate was evaporated with an evaporating dish in a hot water The secondary metabolites of Ocimum gratissimum have been bath (Harborne, 1973). demonstrated to have antibacterial (Nakaruma et al., 1999) The extracts were