Comparative Pharmacognostical, Phytochemical and Biological Evaluation of Five Ocimum Species

Abstract

There are about 150 species of Ocimum in the world and out of that 68 species are found in India. Comparative pharmacognostic study of these Ocimum species is unspecified. Growing demand of Ocimum plants demands quality standards for correct identification of desired Ocimum species. Objectives: Hence aim of present study is to establish comparative pharmacognostical, phytochemical and biological standards for most commonly found and morphologically confusing five species of Ocimum. Methods: Macroscopic, microscopic, preliminary phytochemical evaluations, extraction of essential oils, TLC analysis, in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial potency of selected five species carried out and compared. Results: This comparative study reports that O. sanctum should be preferred in medicine use among selected five species based on phytochemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial potency. Key words: Ocimum americanum, Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum kilimandscharicum, Ocimum gratissimum, Ocimum sanctum.