Abstract:
Background: Ocimum sanctum Linn (O. sanctum) (Tulsi) (Lamiaceae) is rich in diverse
bioactive compounds with therapeutic plant. Its various parts have long been used in traditional
medicine to manage the conditions, such as bronchitis, malaria, diarrhea, skin conditions, and
rheumatism. It is also renowned for possessing antidiabetic, antimicrobial, cardioprotective,
and analgesic actions.
Objective: The goal of this study was to compare the phytochemical analysis and antioxidant
activities of O. sanctum’s leaves and flowers.
Methods: Selected parts of O. sanctum that were collected from the Jaffna district were
subjected to maceration extractions using ethanol, methanol, and water as solvents.
Phytochemical analysis was performed using standard techniques. DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-
picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)); two
complementary tests, were used to examine antioxidant activity. These assays were conducted
in triplicates and the Statistical analysis (Mean ± SD) was carried out using ANOVA using
mini tab 17 software and Tukey’s multiple comparisons at probability value (p≤0.05).
Results: The findings demonstrated that the ethanolic and methanolic extracts had higher
concentration of flavonoid, phenol, tannin and alkaloid than the aqueous extracts of O.
sanctum. Further the ethanolic flower extract had the highest contents of flavonoid
(50.88±0.62μg QE/g) and alkaloid (75.83±0.55mg/g), while the methanolic and ethanolic leaf
extracts had the highest contents of tannin (410.24±0.60μg TAE/g) and phenol (20.96±0.65μg
GAE/g) when compared to all other extracts. Additionally, the methanolic flower extract
showed the highest DPPH activity (IC50: 0.68±0.19μg/mL) while the lowest DPPH activity was
detected in methanolic leaf extract (IC50: 1.95±0.82μg/mL). The ABTS activity was higher in
the methanolic flower extract (IC50: 1.82±0.32μg/mL) compared to the methanolic leaf extract
(IC50: 2.59±0.44μg/mL).
Conclusions: These tests showed that compared to the O. sanctum leaf extract, the methanolic
flower extract had a higher antioxidant potential. It provides valuable insights for potential
applications of O. sanctum in functional medicine and pharmaceutical research.
