Kenyans have long
utilized
Ocimum kilimandscharicum
,
an East African permanent evergreen plant, to treat measles, stomachaches,
diarrhea, mosquito bites (anti-insect), congested chest, cough, and
colds. Using conventional qualitative and quantitative techniques,
this study was done to identify the secondary metabolites in
O. kilimandscharicum
leaf extracts. The chemical
content of the crude extracts from the leaves of
O.
kilimandscharicum
has also been investigated and characterized
using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). By using
a 1:20 dilution in methanol, in cold maceration, a fine powder of
O. kilimandscharicum
was first extracted then filtered
and concentrated after 72 h utilizing a rotary evaporator. By using
also a 1:20 dilution in water at 80 °C, a fine powder of
O. kilimandscharicum
was extracted and then filtrated
and lyophilized 1 h later. Each extract underwent further gas chromatography–mass
spectrometry testing. We found that both extracts contain secondary
metabolites such as alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, and
tannins. However, the overall amount of phytochemicals in each solvent
varied significantly. Total phenolics contents (TPCs) were 5.6 ±
1.20 and 10.8 ± 1.00 mg, total flavonoid contents (TFCs) were
8.2 ± 0.4 and 39.6 ± 2.2 mg, total tannin contents (TTCs)
were 0 ± 0.00 and 10.5 ± 0.4 mg, the total alkaloid content
(TAC) was 49.2 ± 0.40%, and the total saponin content (TSC) was
38 ± 2.00%. Additionally the gas chromatography–mass
spectrometry, revealed a number of high- and low-molecular-weight
bioactive molecules at various concentrations for each extract. We
also found an inhibitory effect on
adhP
and
chbR
gene expression of
Staphylococcus aureus
and
Salmonella choleraesuius
, respectively.
Hence, these chemicals could potentially have a biological and pharmacological
significance. Therefore, the discovery of many physiologically active
chemicals in the leaf extracts of
O. kilimandscharicum
justifies future biological and pharmaceutical research.