The neuroprotective attribution of Ocimum basilicum: a review on the prevention and management of neurodegenerative disorders

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) leaf and seed extracts alleviate neuronal dysfunction in aluminum chloride-induced neurotoxicity in Drosophila melanogaster Meigen model

Ocimum basilicum is an important medicinal plant and culinary herb generally known as sweet basil (SB). These plants are effective radical scavengers, that have been employed in treatment of nervous system disorders, and thus, could be beneficial for the management of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). Current clinical treatments for NDs present several side effects, therefore, there is need to develop new treatments that can mitigate these deadly diseases. Hence, this study investigated the neuroprotective activities of SB leaf and seed in aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster. HPLC characterization of the leaves and seeds were carried out. AlCl3-diet was used to induce neurodegeneration and treated flies received SB leaf and seed extracts-supplemented diet. Survival and locomotor performance activities/levels of oxidative biomarkers [reactive oxygen species (ROS), thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), total thiol, catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST)], enzymes linked with neurodegeneration (acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and monoamine oxidase (MAO)) were investigated. SB leaf had significantly (p < 0.05) higher polyphenol contents; gallic acid and P-coumaric acid were the most abundant polyphenol in the leaf and seed respectively. Percentage survival and locomotor rates, level/activities of total thiol, catalase, SOD and GST were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced while ROS, TBARS, AChE and MAO activities were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in AlCl3-diet-fed flies. Treatment with SB leaf and seed diet lessened these observed impairments. However, SB leaf had better neuroprotective activities that could be related to the observed higher phenolic constituents. Hence, SB leaf diet may offer improved therapeutic effect in NDs.

Bioprospecting of Five Ocimum sp. Cultivars from Croatia: New Potential for Dietary and Dermatological Application with Embryotoxicity Tests

Ocimum basilicum L. is the most common Ocimum species, and it is used as an ornamental plant and in food condiments. This unique study examined the chemical composition and biological activities of six extracts from five basil cultivars, including their antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antilipidemic, neuroprotective, and anticollagenase activity. Moreover, their toxicological effects were studied using the zebrafish Danio rerio. Volatile components were determined using HS-SPME and GC-MS, while total polyphenols were detected using HPLC and the spectrophotometric Folin-Ciocalteu method. Spectrophotometric assays (DPPH, ABTS, ORAC, FRAP) were performed to determine antioxidant activity, collagenase inhibition, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, and pancreatic lipase inhibition. Antimicrobial activity was determined using the broth microdilution test. The study found that the biological activities of different basil cultivars varied depending on the proportion of active compounds, as determined by chemical analyses. All six basil extracts significantly inhibited α-amylase, while Purple basil extract most significantly inhibited the activity of collagenase, acetylcholinesterase, and pancreatic lipase. Purple basil and Dark Opal basil I extracts exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity, while the Dark Opal basil II extract had the most significant antioxidant potential. The findings in this study suggest that ethanolic basil extracts have the potential to be used as dietary drugs and implemented in antiaging products. This study is unique in its aims to compare the chemical composition and biological activities of basil cultivars from Croatia and to evaluate potential toxicological effects through embryotoxicity tests on zebrafish Danio rerio embryos, and it reports the first evidence of anticollagenase, antidiabetic, and antilipidemic activities for these cultivars.

Phytochemical characterization, antioxidant activity and antihypertensive evaluation of Ocimum basilicum L. in l-NAME induced hypertensive rats and its correlation analysis

Ocimum basilicum Linn. (basil) is an aromatic culinary herb that has shown a great potential in therapeutic world. It has many promising pharmacological activities that make it centre for investigations for many researchers. Current study has been planned to determine chemical constituents of basil leaves extracts and their in-vitro and ex-vivo antioxidant and in-vivo antihypertensive potential. GC-MS studies of non-polar extracts showed presence of 75 compounds including monoterpenes, hydrocarbons, sesquiterpenes, triterpenes, phyto-sterols and phthalates. Higher percentages of fatty acids were also identified. The major compounds include linalool (7.65%), terpineol (1.42%), tau-cadinol (13.55%), methyl palmitate (14.24%), palmitic acid (14.31%), linolenic acid (1.30%) and methyl linolenate (17.72%). Electron spray ionization mass spectrometry ESI-HRMS/MS of the polar extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenolic acid, amino acid, coumarin, lignin, flavanoid and terpene derivative. Total phenolic content and total flavonoid content were determined using spectrophotometric technique and calculated as gallic acid equivalents GAE/g dry weight and rutin equivalent RE/g of dry weight respectively. The highest phenolic content and flavonoid content were found in ethyl acetate extract 9.40 mg GAE/g and 15.9 mg RE/g of dry weight. All the extracts showed significant antioxidant activity in DPPH and ABTS cation decolorization assays. Dichloromethane extract possess the highest DPPH scavenging activity, i.e., 64.12% ± 0.23 at concentration of 4 mg/ml. Moreover in ex-vivo studies all the extracts showed prominent effect by inhibiting AAPS induce oxidation in Human erythrocytes being 69.24% ± 0.18 in dichloromethane extract, 64.44% ± 0.04 in ethyl acetate and 53.33% ± 0.09 in acetone extract. The methanol extract of O. basilicum exhibited significant decrease in systolic blood pressure in l-Name induced hypertensive rats at the dose of 50 mg/kg for 28 days. Total phenolic content had a higher linear correlation (r = 0.678) with antihypertensive activity, with a level of significance 95% showing that phenolic compounds in the leaves of the plant has important role in inhibiting l -NAME induced hypertension while flavonoid compounds may play a key role in the antioxidant activities of the plant, through synergism. Conclusively, O. basilicum leaves with bioactive metabolites are a potential source for the development of antihypertensive drugs.

Biological Profiling of Essential Oils and Hydrolates of Ocimum basilicum var. Genovese and var. Minimum Originated from Serbia

The genus Ocimum has many species that are used to treat diverse kinds of illnesses and sicknesses from ancient times. One of them, Ocimum basilicum L., commonly known as basil, has a vital role due to its various medicinal goods. It is best known as a plant with pharmacological activities, but also as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, and larvicidal agent. Although it has been traditionally used in Serbia in traditional medicine for centuries as an insecticidal, antibacterial, and antifungal plant as well as a traditional culinary plant, none of the O. basilicum varieties have been commercialised until today. There are significant numbers of information across the world that oils and by-products are part of the global market, but no references to the essential oil composition of Serbian plants were found. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials of essential oil and hydrolate of two different varieties: O. basilicum var. genovese and Ocimum. basilicum var. minimum originating from Serbia for further industrial production of antimicrobial- and/or antioxidant-valued products. The results of this study confirm that essential oils of O. basilicum var. genovese and var. minimum represent a significant source of bioactive compounds, especially linalool, with a high rate of biological activities. Similar behaviour is observed for hydrolates, which are the by-product of the essential oil distillation process and can be utilised as bioactive-rich waste in further investigation.

Toxicity, Antioxidant Activity, and Phytochemicals of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) Leaves Cultivated in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is one of the most common aromatic herbs, a rich source of bioactive compounds, and is used extensively to add aroma and flavor to food. The leaves, both in fresh and dried form, are used as a culinary ingredient in different cultures. O. basilicum is also famous for its therapeutic potential and preservation effects. The present study investigated the cytotoxicity of basil at three different growth stages (GS), i.e., GS-1 (58 days of growth), GS-2 (69 days of growth), and GS-3 (93 days of growth) using the brine shrimp lethality assay. The results revealed that cytotoxicity was influenced by GS and the concentration of extracts. Aqueous extracts of basil at a concentration of 10 to 1000 µg/mL did not show notable toxicity. The lowest mortality rate, i.e., 8.9%, was recorded for GS-2 at the highest tested dose of basil extracts. The mortality rate at GS-1, GS-2, and GS-3 was found to be 26.7 ± 3.34%, 8.91 ± 0.10%, and 16.7 ± 0.34%, respectively, at 1000 µg/mL. GS-2 basil powder with the lowest toxicological risk was extracted with different solvents, viz., n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethanol, and water. The highest concentration of plant secondary metabolites including total phenolic acid, flavonoids, and tannin content was observed in ethanol extracts. Ethanol extracts also exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in DPPH, FRAP and H₂O₂ assays. LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis presented ethanol extracts of basil as a promising source of known health-promoting and therapeutic compounds such as rosmarinic acid, ellagic acid, catechin, liquiritigenin, and umbelliferone. The results suggest basil, a culinary ingredient, as a potential source of bioactive compounds which may offer an array of health promoting and therapeutic properties.