Aim: The present study aims at identifying potential inhibitors from a set of ten compounds from Ocimum basilicum against the SARS-CoV-2 main protease, the chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro). Materials and Methods: Computational studies by molecular docking (Autodock tool) were used to obtain the scoring function of ten phytochemicals in interaction with the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. The pharmacokinetic behavior of the high-docking score compounds was addressed by using SwissADME and pkCSM webservers. Results: Three high-docking score ligands were identified as hit compounds mainly the oleanolic acid (-8.55 kcal/mol), the ursolic acid (-8.21 kcal/mol) and apigenin (-7.52 kcal/mol). Their pharmacokinetic profile revealed that they have good therapeutic profile of druggability and safe. The biological activities of the three compounds especially their anti-inflammatory properties in relation with the excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines in the most severe form of the COVID-19 were also highlighted.  Conclusion: COVID-19 outbreak is a serious public health threat that requires immediate action. In order to combat this pandemic, several strategies are used and the identification of potential inhibitors of the main protease of the virus is one of the widely used strategies. Here, three potential inhibitors from Ocimum basilicum plant (leaves) were pinpointed. Further in-vitro and in-vivo studies are needed that will clarify the role of Ocimum basilicum for the management of COVID-19 disease.

Aim: The aim of this work was to review literature data reported on some species of the Ocimum genus regarding their phytochemistry and antiviral potential in order to show how Ocimum species might be used in the management of COVID-19. Methodology: Various databases like PubMed, PubMed Central., Science Direct, SCIELO, DOAJ, Science alert, Semantic scholar and Google scholar were used. Results: Essential oils and extracts of Ocimum species possess the compounds involved in antiviral activity. In addition, this plant contains certain nutrients which boost the immune system. Ocimum genus displayed antiviral activity against several viruses like Herpes Simplex Virus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus, Adenovirus, Enterovirus 71, Parainfluenza virus type 3, Hepatitis C virus, etc. Toxicological data indicated that these plants are safe. Conclusion: Till now, there is no effective treatment of COVID-19. Ethnopharmacology constitutes an alternative approach for the discovery of effective antiviral drugs. The literature survey reveals that Ocimum species exhibit high antiviral activity, and thus can be used as potential bioresources against COVID-19. Molecular docking study of the interaction of some compounds derived from Ocimum species with SARS-CoV-2 protease is in progress in order to identify the potential inhibitors of the virus.

Aim: The objective of this study was to determine the phytochemical profile of Senna alata LINN using chemical screening in solution and thin-layer chromatography, and to assess the antioxidant and anthelmintic activities of the plant’s aqueous extracts. Methodology: All the analyses performed in this study were, respectively, done as described by the standard protocols. These were: the microscopic examination of the plant powders performed using a light microscope, the search for secondary metabolites carried out by chemical screening in solution and by thin-layer chromatography, the determination of the secondary metabolites, and the antioxidant activity carried out by UV-visible spectroscopy and the anthelmintic activity performed by dilution in decreasing order of concentration. Results: Micrographic analysis of the powder of Senna alata revealed the histological elements rich in unicellular covering hairs with a punctate surface and in fragments of palisade parenchyma, with elongated cells. The presence of polyphenols (flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins, leuco anthocyanins, free quinones), steroids, terpenoids, and iridoids was detected by phytochemical screening in solution and confirmed by thin-layer chromatography. The determination of total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, total tannins, and anthocyanins showed that Senna alata contains 254.64 mg EQ/g, 12.3%, 9.5%, and 6.5%, respectively, of these metabolites. The aqueous extract of the leaves of Senna alata showed a good anthelmintic activity after 41 minutes of exposure to 5.00 mg/mL of the extract and the antioxidant activity was reported, of which the value of IC50 (\(\mu\) g/mL) of the extract for the DPPH tests is 91.42  \(\pm\) 15.56. Conclusion: Histological elements rich in unicellular covering hairs with a punctate surface and in fragments of palisade parenchyma, with elongated cells were revealed in the micrographic analysis of Senna alata. The plant’s leaf methanol extract showed good antioxidant activity, while the anthelmintic activity was demonstrated in its aqueous extract.

Aim: The main aim of the present study is to validate the bioactivity of O. basilicum, a medicinal plant traditionally used to treat helminthiasis in DRC. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry, Science Faculty, University of Kinshasa, between June 2018 and March 2019. Methodology: Different parts (stems, leaves and flowers) of O. basilicum and specimens of earthworms of Benhamia rosea were collected and identified at University of Kinshasa. Micrographic examination was carried out using Biolux NV microscope and X-ray fluorescence method for mineral content determination. Radical scavenging activity was performed using the ABTS radical test. Results: Microscopic analysis of O. basilicum powder revealed various histological elements like crystalline fibres, sclerotic fibres, fragments of spiral vessels, pluricellular hairs and glandular hairs. Phytochemical screening in solution and by TLC revealed the presence of polyphenols (flavonoids, anthocyanins, saponins), alkaloids, steroids, coumarins, terpenoids, irridoids and anthraquinones. 20 elements including calcium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulphur, chlorine, aluminium, manganese, iron, zinc, copper, strontium, rubidium, bromine, silver, vanadium, neodymium, silicium and lead were determined. The aqueous extract of O. basilicum showed good dose-dependent antihelminthic activity and radical scavenging activity with IC50: 27.04 ± 4.58 µg/mL. Conclusion: This study provides an additional information on the mineral composition and antihelminthic activity of O. basilicum growing in DRC. The antihelminthic activity of this plant could be associated to the presence of flavonoids. To the current knowledge, no study on the histological elements of O. basilicum is available in the literature.

<abstract> <p>Each year more than 150, 000 tons of dyes are released in effluents by industries. These chemicals entities non-biodegradable and toxic can be removed from effluent by metallic nanomaterials. The aqueous extract of <italic>Manotes expansa</italic> leaves is used as reducing and stabilizing agent in the biogenic synthesis of Mn-CuO nanocomposites. The nanoparticles obtained were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Fluorescence, Dynamic Light Scattering (DSL), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The hemotoxicity of biosynthesized nanomaterials was assessed by evaluating their hemolytic activity using erythrocytes as a model system. The photocatalytic activity of Mn-CuO was carried out by photocatalytic degradation of Methylene Blue dye as a model. The results obtained by UV-vis spectroscopy showed a Plasmonic Surface Resonance band at 408 nm. XRD and X-ray fluorescence made it possible to identify the presence of particles of formula Mn_0.53Cu_0.21O having crystallized in a Hexagonal system (a = 3.1080 Å and c = 5.2020 Å). Spherical morphology and average height 49.34 ± 6.71 nm were determined by SEM and DSL, respectively. The hemolytic activity of biosynthesized nanomaterials revealed that they are not hemotoxic in vitro (% hemolysis 3.2%) and 98.3% of Methylene Blue dye was removed after 120 min under irradiation with solar light in the presence of Mn-CuO nanocomposites.</p> </abstract>