Abstract
Aqueous, ethanol and acetone leaf and root extracts of <i>Ocimum sanctum</i> Linn were investigated for their antibacterial activities at various concentrations against <i>Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> using standard methods. Antimicrobial studies indicated that both the acetone leaf and root extracts of <i>O. sanctum</i> were found comparatively more effective against these bacteria than any other extract tested while aqueous extract being the least effective against the tested microbes. The highest mean zone of inhibition of acetone leaf extract against <i>P. aeruginosa</i> was 20.74± 0.68 followed by 19.36± 0.29 at concentration 150mg/ml and 100 mg/ml respectively. The aqueous and ethanol root extracts of <i>O. sanctum</i> for had no inhibitory effect against the test microorganisms. Generally the acetone crude extracts showed activity against the three bacteria species with highest average zone of inhibition compared to other extracts. The antimicrobial activity of the leaf extract was more pronounced against test microbes than root extract. The study revealed that the plant possessed antimicrobial properties and could be a potential source of antibacterial agent in the treatment of bacterial infections.
Highlights
Ocimum sanctum Linn known as Holy Basil is an aromatic plant native to the tropics of Asia and Africa being medicinally important plant in the family Lamiaceae
In the aqueous extract, the leaf showed significantly high inhibition against P. aeruginosa compared to what was revealed against E.coli and S. aureus while the aqueous root extract had no inhibition against all three tested microbes (Table 1)
The results of this study show that the acetone and ethanol extracts of Ocimum sanctum possess antimicrobial activities against the test bacteria
Summary
Ocimum sanctum Linn known as Holy Basil is an aromatic plant native to the tropics of Asia and Africa being medicinally important plant in the family Lamiaceae. The family Lamiaceae is one of the most exploited medicinal plant family worldwide as a source of medicinal plants and with its valuable essential oils being used as spices and flavours for various food products [1, 2]. Ocimum sanctum is known as a consolidated source of extracts with many applications in folk medicine ranging from strong antibacterial and antioxidant properties to in Asia and Africa [4, 5]. The presence of essential oils in O. sanctum has been reported to exhibit repellence activity against insects [2, 6]
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