@article {1383, title = {Comparative Pharmacognostical, Phytochemical and Biological Evaluation of Five Ocimum Species}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {13}, year = {2021}, month = {March 2021}, pages = {463-474}, type = {Research Article}, chapter = {463}, abstract = {

There are about 150 species of Ocimum in the world and out of that 68 species are found in India. Comparative pharmacognostic study of these Ocimum species is unspecified. Growing demand of Ocimum plants demands quality standards for correct identification of desired Ocimum species. Objectives: Hence aim of present study is to establish comparative pharmacognostical, phytochemical and biological standards for most commonly found and morphologically confusing five species of Ocimum. Methods: Macroscopic, microscopic, preliminary phytochemical evaluations, extraction of essential oils, TLC analysis, in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial potency of selected five species carried out and compared. Results: This comparative study reports that O. sanctum should be preferred in medicine use among selected five species based on phytochemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial potency.

}, keywords = {Ocimum americanum, Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum gratissimum, Ocimum kilimandscharicum, Ocimum sanctum}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2021.13.59}, author = {Sharada L Deore and Shital R Ingole and Bhushan A Baviskar and Anjali A kide} } @article {917, title = {A Methanolic Extract of Ocimum basilicum Exhibits Antioxidant Effects and Prevents Selenite-induced Cataract Formation in Cultured Lenses of Wistar Rats}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {11}, year = {2019}, month = {May 2019}, pages = {496-504}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {496}, abstract = {

Objective: An extract (Methanolic) of the Ocimum basilicum leaf was analysed for potential to abrogate experimental formation of cataract in-vitro. Methods: Phytoconstituents were first detected in O. basilicum extracts (Aqueous or methanolic) by gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis. The putative antioxidant activity of these extracts was then assessed by measuring in-vitro radical-scavenging activity, ion-chelating potential and reducing potency. Potential cytotoxicity of the extract on Human lenticular epithelial B3 (HLE-B3) cells was also sought. Finally, possible prevention of cataract formation by the methanolic extract was gauged in selenite-exposed lenses obtained from Wistar rats. There were 3 groups (8 Lenses in each): Group I (Lenses incubated in Dulbecco{\textquoteright}s modified Eagle{\textquoteright}s medium [DMEM] alone); Group II (Lenses incubated in DMEM with sodium selenite [100 μM/ml]); Group III (Lenses incubated in DMEM with selenite [100 μM/ml] and the O. basilicum methanolic extract (200 μg/ml DMEM). Gross lenticular morphology was assessed. Levels of lenticular malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were also measured. Results: A higher intensity of antioxidative activity was noted in the methanolic extract than in the aqueous extract. The methanolic extract exhibited negligible cytotoxicity. On morphological examination, marked opacification was seen in all 8 Group II lenses whereas there was no opacification in 7 of 8 Group III lenses. Near normal mean levels of reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde, were noted within Group III lenses. Conclusion: The methanolic extract of the O. basilicum leaf appears to prevent selenite-induced cataract formation in-vitro.

}, keywords = {Antioxidants, Cataract, Crystallins, Ocimum basilicum, Oxidative stress, Phytoconstituents}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2019.11.79}, author = {Thiraviyam Anand and Mahalingam Sundararajan and Muniyandi Anbukkarasi and Philip Aloysius Thomas and Pitchairaj Geraldine} }