Evaluation of basil extract ( Ocimum basilicum L.) on oxidative, anti-genotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects in human leukocytes cell cultures exposed to challenging agents

Abstract

Ocimum is one of the most important genera of the Lamiaceae family. Several studies about basil and its popular use reveal many characteristics of the herb, including its use as antioxidant, anti-aging, antiinflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial, and cardiovascular agents, among others. In this paper, we evaluated genotoxic, oxidative, and anti-inflammatory parameters from the extract of Ocimum basilicum in different concentrations, using human leukocytes cultures exposed to challenging agents. Our results confirm that the O. basilicum extract acts as an antioxidant and effectively reverts or subjugates the effects of high oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide. These actions are attributed to its composition, which is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids as well as compounds such as rosmarinic acid, all of which have well-known antioxidant activity. We also show that our basil extract presents anti-inflammatory properties, the mechanism of which is a composed interaction between the inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediator and the stimulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Although pharmacodynamics studies are necessary to evaluate the activities in vivo, our results demonstrated that basil could act as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and a possible alternative for medicinal treatment. Uniterms:Ocimum basilicum/evaluation. Ocimum basilicum/genotoxic effects. Ocimum basilicum/ anti-inflammatory properties. Medicinal plants/study.

Antimicrobial Activity and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) Analysis of Saudi Arabian Ocimum basilicum Leaves Extracts

“…These entire compounds were reported to have a variety of biological activities (Table 3). This result is consistent with other studies reported that O. basilicum is rich in polyphenols like Phenolic acids 17,69 . It is interesting that the current study is not consistent with Murali and Prabakaran 27 whom found that O. basilicum methanol extract contains 13 compounds that did not resemble the chemical compounds found in this study.…”

Physicochemical Properties and Fatty Acid Composition of Ocimum basilicum L. Seed Oil

“…They used for cosmetic applications, fuel, medicine and food. Moreover, O. basilicum showed its potential for several biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, anti-microbial, and cardiovascular agents, among others [15]. Additionally, O. basilicum seeds have been traditionally used as a natural remedy for the treatment of indigestion, ulcer, diarrhoea, sore throats, and kidney disorders [16].…”

Phytochemical, Total Phenolic Contents, and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Ocimumbasilicum L. Leaf Extract in Al-Baha Area, Saudi Arabia

“…Aburigal et al (2017)notified that DPPH values of different samples varied from 89.22% to 69.33%, with the highest antioxidant activity being in samples from Maldives, while the lowest antioxidant activity was found in samples from Thailand, and the antioxidant effectiveness is probably due to a relatively high content of methyleugenol in O. basilicum, in addition,the antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate extract was higher than ethanol extract. Güez et al (2017) confirmed that O. basilicum extract acts as an antioxidant and effectively overcomes the effects of high oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide.…”