Ocimum gratissimum: In its diverse application

Ocimum gratissimum Linn. from the family Lamiacea and genus Ocimum is a perennial herb found in tropical and temperate region. It is the species commonly found in Nigeria, , where it is commonly known as “Oke ota” by the Igbos and “Efirin odan” by the Yorubas. Its is also called clove basil or African basil.

It is well known for its nutritional and medical properties. It has long been used in folkloric medicine to treat fever, skin infections and respiratory tract infections. It is antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, antileshmanial, antitrypanosomal, antidiabetic , anticonvulsant, antioxidant. Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, saponins, glycoside, and resins. Steroids and terpenoids were also confirmed to be present in the plant. GC/MS of its essential oil (ocimum oil) showed eugenol to be major component, thymol, germacrene, bisabolene and other volatiles as minor component. 

Leafy extracts of O. gratissimum showed antidiabetic properties in streptozocininduced in diabetic rats. A test on guinea pigs found evidence that the essential oil relaxes the muscles of the small intestine, consistent with the traditional use of the plant to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Antitumor, anticancer in vitro. A study on rats also found evidence that a leaf extract of the plant prevented diarrhea. O. gratissimum has antifertility effects in male mice. O. gratissimum ethanolic extracts showed a hepatoprotective effect.

O. gratissimum has also been found to be effective against gram positive and gram negative strains of bacteria making it a broad spectrum antibacterial drug and provides the possibility of treating various bacterial infections by applying it in production of pharmaceuticals.  

References
Ekwenchi, M.M.; Oluigbo, J. and Akpuaka, A. (2004). Antibacterial Activity of n-Hexane Extract of Ocimum gratissimum leaves. Journal of Applied Chemistry, 7(5):06-10

Adebolu, T.T. and Oladimeji, S.A. (2005). Antimicrobial Activity of Leaf Extract of Ocimum gratissimum on Selected Diarrhea causing Bacteria in South West Nigeria. African Journal of Biotechnology, 4(7): 682- 684.      

Dubey, N.K., Tiwari, T.N., Mandin D, Andriamboavonjy H. and Chaumont J.P. (2000). Antifungal Properties of Ocimum gratissimum Essential oil (ethyl cinnamatechemotype). Fitoterapia, 71:567-569.     Terezinha de Jesus Faria, Rafael Sottero Ferreira, LidianeYassumoto, Joseʼ Robert, Pinto de Souza, Noemia Kazue Ishikawa and Aneli de Melo Barbosa. (2006). Antifungal Activity of Essential oil Isolated from Ocimum gratissimum L. (eugenolchemotype) against Phytopathogenic fungi. Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology, 49(6):867-871.     

Junaid, S.A., Olabode, A.O., Onwuliri, F.C., Okwori, A.E. and Agina, S.E. (2006). The Antimicrobial Properties of Ocimum gratissimum Extract on some Selected Bacterial Gastrointestinal Isolates. African Journal of Biotechnology, 5(22):2315-2321.  

Matasyoh, L.G., Matasyoh, J.C., Wachira, F.N., Kingua, M.G., ThairuMuigai, A.W. and Mukiama, T.K. (2008). Antimicrobial Activity of Essential oils of Ocimum gratissimum L. from Different Populations of Kenya. Afr.J.Trad.CAM, 5(2):187-193.  

Ayissi, N.K. and Nyadedzor, C. (2003). Comparative in-vitro effects of AZT and Extracts of Ocimum gratissimum, Ficus polita, Clausena anisata, Alchornea cordifolia, and Elaephorbia drupifera against HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections. Antiviral Res, 58:2533.  

Ueda-Nakamura, T., Mendonca- Filho, R.R., Moryo do-diaz, J.A., Maza, P.K. and Fiho, P.B.D. (2006) Antileishmanial Activity of eugenol-rich Essential oil from Ocimum gratissimum. Parasitol.Int, 55:99-105. Adamu, M., Nwonsu, C.O. and Agbede R.I.S. (2009). Antitrypanosomal Effects of Aqueous Extract of Ocimum gratissimum (Lamiaceae) Leaf in rats infected with Trypanosome bruceibrucei. Afr.J.Trad CAM, 6(3):262-267.     

Aguiyi, J.C., Obi, E.L., Gand, S.S. and Igweh, A.C. (2000). Hpoglycemic Activity of Ocimum gratissimum in rats. Fitoterapia, 71:444-446.          

Freire, C.M.M., Marques, M.O.M. and Costa, M. (2006). Effects of Seasonal Variation on the Central Nervous System Activity of Ocimum gratissimum L. Essential oil. J.Ethnopharmacol, 105:161-166.       

Aprioku, J.S. and Obianime, A.W. (2008). Antioxidant Activity of Aqueous Crude Extract of Ocimum gratissimum Linn.Leaf on Basal and Cadmium-induced Serum Levels of Phosphatases in Male guinea-pigs. J.Appl.Sci.Environ.Manage, 12(4):33-39.  

Koche, D.K, Kokate, P.S., Suradkar, S.S. and Bhadange, D.G. (2012). Preliminary Phytochemical and Antibacterial Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Ocimum gratissimum L. Bioscience Discovery , 3(1):20-24.   Ladipo, M.K, Doherty, V.F and Kanife, U.C. (2010). Phytochemical screening and Antibacterial Investigation of the Extract of Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaf) on Selected Enterobacteriaceae. PAT, 6(2):75-84.    

Janine de Aquino Lemos, XistoSenaPassos, Orionaida de Fatima LisboaFernande, JoseʼRealino de Paula, Pedro Henrique Ferri, Lucia KiokoHasimoto de Souza, Aline de Aquino Lemos, Maria de Rosario, Rodriques Silva.(2005). Antifungal Activity from Ocimum gratissimum L. toward Cryptococcus neoformans. Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz, 100(1):55-58