A Comparative Study on Nutritional Composition and Biological Activities of the Leafand Flower of Ocimum sanctum Linn

Abstract

Various parts of Ocimum sanctum Linn. Such as leaves, seeds, roots, fruits, barks, flowers etc., were widely used in traditional medicine to cure a wide range of diseases over the decades. Although several studies include phytochemical screening, antibacterial, antifungal and hyperglycemic activity of Ocimum sanctum. Some parts of Ocimum sanctum remain to be elucidated. The present study includes nutritional analysis, antibacterial activity, antifungal activity and antidiabetic effect of Ocimum sanctum leaves and flowers. From nutritional investigation, the proximate composition moisture, ash, lipid, total sugar, crude fiber, starch, total phenols, vitamin C, vitamin B1 and vitamin B2 contents of leaves were 84.78%, 12.72%, 0.5%, 60%, 14.8%, 13.90%, 0.37%, 14%, 0.48%, 0.24% respectively. On the other hand, moisture, ash, lipid, total sugar, crude fiber, starch, total phenols, vitamin C, vitamin B1, and vitamin B2 contents of flowers were 71.56%, 25.56%, 0.02%, 77%, 5.38%, 16.10%, 0.25%, 42%, 0.27%, 0.33%, respectively. The leaves and flowers also contain significant amounts of Ca, Zn, P, and iron. Ocimum sanctum showed activity against both gram negative bacteria and pathogenic fungi. Leaves and stem extracts showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Sarcina lutea, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These extracts also showed antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Both leaves and flowers showed significant weight gains in Steptozotocin-induced diabetic rats compared to vehicle control rats. Finally, the extract treatment remarkably reduced blood glucose level in diabetic rats compared to vehicle control rats. Therefore, Ocimum sanctum could be considered as an effective and alternative treatment for bacterial, fungal infections and diabetes.