Phytochemical Constituents And Antioxidant Activities Of The Chloroform Extract Of Ocimum Gratissimum Plant (Scent Leaf)

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Plants show enormous versatility in synthesizing complex materials which have no immediate obvious growth or metabolic functions. These complex materials are referred to as secondary metabolites. Plants secondary metabolites have recently been referred to as phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring and biologically active plant compounds that have potential diseaseinhibiting capabilities. It is believed that phytochemicals may be effective in combating or preventing disease due to their antioxidant effect (Halliwell and Gutteridge, 1992; Farombi et al., 1998).

Antioxidants protect other molecules (in vivo) from oxidation when they are exposed to free radicals and reactive oxygen species which have been implicated in the aetiology of many diseases and in food deterioration and spoilage (Halliwell and Gutteridge, 1992; Kasaikina, 1997; Farombi, 2000; Koleva et al., 2000). Medicinal plants have been used for centuries before the advent of orthodox medicine. Leaves, flowers, stems, roots, seeds, fruit, and bark can all be constituents of herbal medicines. The medicinal values of these plants lie in their component phytochemicals, which produce dedefinite physiological actions on the human body. The most important of these phytochemicals are alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids and phenolic compounds (Hill, 1952). Ocimumgratissimum Linn (Labiatae) is grown for the essential oils in its leaves and stems. Eugenol, thymol, citral, geraniol and linalool have been extracted from the oil (Sulistiarini, 1999). Essential oils from the plant have been reported to possess an interesting spectrum of antifungal properties (Dubey et al., 2000).

The antinociceptive property of the essential oil of the plant has been reported (Rabelo et al., 2003). The whole plant and the essential oil are used in traditional medicine especially in Africa and India. The essential oil is also an important insect repellant. O. gratissimum is germicidal (Nakamura et al., 1999; Pessoa et al., 2003; Holets et al., 2003) and has found wide use in toothpastes and mouth washes as well as some topical ointments. It is used as an excellent gargle for sore throats and tonsillitis. It is also used as an expectorant and a cough suppressant. The plant extract is used against gastrointestinal helminths of animals and man (Fakae, 2000; Chitwood, 2003). In addition, O. gratissimum carminative properties make it a good choice for upset stomach. It is used as an emetic and for hemorrhoids. The plant is also used for the treatment of rheumatism, paralysis, epilepsy, high fever, diarrhea, sunstroke, influenza, gonorrhea and mental illness (Dhawan et al., 1977; Oliver, 1980; Abdulrahman, 1992; Osifo 1992; Sofowora, 1993; Sulistiarini, 1999). In addition, the plant is used as a spice and condiment in the southern part of Nigeria.

Medicinal plants based drugs owe the advantage of being simple, effective and exhibit broad spectrum activity. The revival of interest in the use and importance of African medical plants by WHO and many developing countries has led to intensified efforts on the documentation of ethnomedical data of medicinal efforts. This is because most traditional healers keep no records and their information is passed on mainly verbally from generation to generation. Researchers are increasingly turning their attention to natural products looking for new leads to develop better drugs against cancer, as well as viral and microbial infections. The phytochemical evaluation of Ocimumgratissimum shows that it is rich in alkaloid, tannins, phytates, flavonoids and Oligosaccharides (Ijeh, et al., 2004). In the coastal area of Nigeria, the plant Ocimumgratissimum is used in the treatment of epilepsy, high fever and diarrhea (Sofowora, 1993; Ladipo et al., 2010). The plant Ocimumgratissimum is one of those plants widely known and used for both medicinal and nutritional purposes. It is a perennial plant that is widely distributed in the tropics of Africa and Asia. It belongs to the Family Labiatae and it is the most abundant of the genus Ocimum. The common names of the plant are Basil Fever plant or Tea bush and vernacular names include Daidoyatagida (Hausa), Nichonwu (Igbo), Tanmotswangiwawagi (Nupe) and Efinrin (Yoruba) (Abdullahi et al., 2003; Idris et al., 2011).
The present work is to phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activities of the choloroprom extract of ocimumgratissium plant (scent leaf).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Ocimumgratissimum is a herbaceous plant which belongs to the Labiatae family. The plant is indigenous to tropical areas especially India and it is also in West Africa. In Nigeria, it is found in the Savannah and coastal areas. It is cultivated in Ceylon, South Sea Islands, and also within Nepal, Bengal, Chittagong and Deccan. Nadkarni K.M. (1999). It is known by various names in different parts of the world. In India it is known by its several vernacular names, the most commonly used ones being Vriddhutulsi (Sanskrit), Ram tulsi (Hindi), Nimmatulasi (Kannada).
Ocimumgratissimum popularly referred to as scent leaf because of its aroma is commonly used as spices for food or soup preparation in Nigeria (Akinjogunla et al., 2009). It is a medicinal plant which has been used traditionally for the treatment of various infections (Abdullahi, 2012). The plant is cultivated in abundant in different part of Nigeria and it contains some bioactive substances such as tannis, saponins, alkaloids, glycosides, phenols and flavonoids, also referred to as phytochemicals. These phytochemicals when consumed served as medicine for protection and treatment of human or animal disease (Abdullahi, 2012). Treatment of diseases has always been associated with the administration of drugs gotten from plants, animals and mineral sources. The use of plants or herbs extract in the treatment of human ailments is a very ancient art. Investigation of African medicinal plants for antimicrobial activities ranks highest among biological test carried in many plants and their extracts. Herbal medicines tend to look primitive and unscientific when compared to synthetic (conventional) drugs, which are thought to be more reliable than those made from plants. Herbal medicine is still the mainstay of about 75- 80% of the world population, mainly in developing countries for primary health care.

Scent leaf has been used traditionally for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, dysentery, diarrhoea and candidiasis caused by various gastrointestinal inhabiting microorganisms. Direct oral administration of raw scent leaf juice has been used for long in many tribes in order to treat gastrointestinal disorders, dysentery, diarrhoea and candidiasis of varying degrees. Traditional medicine is more accessible to most population in the world than orthodox medicine. In fact, it is reported that 60-80% of the population of every country of the developing countries has to rely on traditional or indigenous forms of medicine

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to find out the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activities of the choloroform extract of ocimumgratissium plant (scent leaf).

The specific objectives include;

To evaluate how often is the use of choloroform extract of ocimumgratissium plant

To determine the antimicrobial effect of scent leaf (O.gratissimum) and to identify the common phytochemicals constituents of scent leaf that may be inhibitory to gastrointestinal pathogens as well as the in vivo toxicity level of the extract.

1.4 Research Questions

How often is the use of choloroform extract of ocimumgratissium plant?

What is the antimicrobial effect of scent leaf (O. gratissimum) and toidentify the common phytochemicals constituents of scent leaf that may be inhibitory to gastrointestinal pathogens as well as the in vivo toxicity level of the extract.?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

Hypothesis I

H0: There is no statistical relationship on the effect of scent leaf (O. gratissimum) and the common phytochemicals constituents of scent leaf that may be inhibitory to gastrointestinal pathogens as well as the in vivo toxicity level of the extract.

Hi: There is a statistical relationship on the effect of scent leaf (O. gratissimum) and the common phytochemicals constituents of scent leaf that may be inhibitory to gastrointestinal pathogens as well as the in vivo toxicity level of the extract.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study is on the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activities of the chloroform extract of ocimumgratissium plant (scent leaf).

Ocimumgratissimum, also known as clove basil, African basil, and in Hawaii as wild basil,[2] is a species of Ocimum. It is native to Africa, Madagascar, southern Asia, and the Bismarck Archipelago, and naturalized in Polynesia, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama, West Indies, Brazil, and Bolivia.

In the southern part of Nigeria, the plant is called Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Pharmacognosy, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Science, Manipal-576104, Karnataka, India; E-mail: annieshirwaikar@yahoo.com “effinrin-nla” by the Yoruba speaking tribe. It is called “Ahuji” by the Igbos, while in the Northern part of Nigeria, the Hausas call it “Daidoya”. Effraim K.D, Jacks T.W, Sodipo O.A. (2003).

Therefore, some leafs will be compared to find out their importance to life.

1.8 Definition of Terms

Phytochemical:

Phytochemicals are defined as bioactive nutrient plant chemicals in fruits, vegetables, grains, and other plant foods that may provide desirable health benefits beyond basic nutrition to reduce the risk of major chronic diseases

Antioxidant:

A substance that protects cells from the damage caused by free radicals (unstable molecules made by the process of oxidation during normal metabolism). Free radicals may play a part in cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other diseases of aging

Chloroform:

Is an organic compound part of the trihalomethane. It is colorless and has a pleasant, nonirritating odor with a slightly sweet taste. Chloroform evaporates easily into the air and dissolves easily in water.

Ocium Gratissium:

Is an aromatic herb that been introduced extensively across tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It has escaped cultivation and can be found growing as a weed in disturbed sites, waste areas, pastures andalong roadsides, but also invading disturbed natural vegetation, savannas, coastal thickets and riparian areas. In this species, seeds are small and numerous and easily dispersed by gravity, animals, human activities and as a contaminant in soil and garden debris.