Phytochemical Characterization and In vitro Nitric Oxide Scavenging Activity of Hydroalcoholic Seed Extract of Ocimum gratissimum
Abstract
Ocimum gratissimum (Lamiaceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used to manage several disorders. Although its therapeutic properties have been extensively explored, limited studies have investigated the phytochemical profile and in vitro nitric oxide scavenging activity of its hydroalcoholic seed extract. The present study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical profile and in vitro NO scavenging activity of the hydroalcoholic seed extract of Ocimum gratissimum. Nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity was assessed using a nitric oxide scavenging assay. The absorbance of treated samples was measured and compared with the control using UV–visible spectrophotometry, and the percentage inhibition of nitric oxide radicals was assesed. The hydroalcoholic extract exhibited concentration-dependent nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 87.5 μg/mL. The standard drug, Curcumin, showed greater activity with an IC50 value of 48.3 μg/mL. Despite lower potency compared to Curcumin, the extract demonstrated notable activity, indicating the presence of antioxidant phytoconstituents that may contribute to the observed nitric oxide scavenging activity. The hydroalcoholic seed extract of Ocimum gratissimum demonstrated concentration-dependent NO scavenging activity with an IC50 of 87.5 μg/mL. These findings indicate antioxidant potential under in vitro conditions. However, additional mechanistic and animal studies are required to establish antihypertensive efficacy.
Keywords:
Ocimum gratissimum, Nitric oxide scavenging, Phytochemicals, GC-MS, AntioxidantDOI
https://doi.org/10.25004/IJPSDR.2026.180402References
Kokate CK, Purohit AP, Gokhale SB. Pharmacognosy. 57th ed. Pune: Nirali Prakashan; 2023.
Ogunrinola GA, Oyewale JO, Oshun PO, Olasehinde GI. A review on the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of clove basil (Ocimum gratissimum L.). Sci World J. 2021.
Marcocci L, Maguire JJ, Droy-Lefaix MT, Packer L. The nitric oxide-scavenging properties of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1994;201(2):748–55.
Zhou JR, Zhou SW, Xu YY. Uncaria rhynchophylla and its major alkaloid rhynchophylline: a review of their pharmacological properties. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012;141(3):793–801.
Ahmad A, Husain A, Mujeeb M, Khan SA, Najmi AK, Siddique NA, et al. A review of therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: a miracle herb. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2013;3(5):337–52.
Yang CS, Wang H. Green tea and cardiovascular health: an updated review. Nutrients. 2023;15:1021.
Edwards JE, Brown PN, Talent N, Dickinson TA, Shipley PR. A review of the chemistry and pharmacology of Crataegus species. Phytochemistry. 2022;198:113158.
Dwivedi S. Terminalia arjuna: present status and future perspectives in cardiovascular medicine. J Tradit Complement Med. 2022;12(3):195–203.
Bayan L, Koulivand PH, Gorji A. Garlic: a review of potential therapeutic effects in cardiovascular disease. Nutr J. 2023;22:18.
Ashokkumar K, Pandian A, Murugan M, Dhanya MK, Vellaikumar S. Phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of Ocimum gratissimum extracts and essential oil: a critical review. J Curr Opin Crop Sci. 2021;2(1):138–48.
Okoye CI, Adamu BB, Abubakar ZI, Idris HA, Maidawa GL, Mustapha FA, et al. Medical and pharmacological properties of Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaf): a review. J Health Metab Nutr Stud. 2024;3(3).
Gori A, Boucherle B, Rey A, Rome M, Fuzzati N, Peuchmaur M. Development of an innovative maceration technique to optimize extraction and phase partition of natural products. Fitoterapia. 2021;148:104798.
Shaikh JR, Patil M. Qualitative tests for preliminary phytochemical screening: an overview. Int J Chem Stud. 2020;8(2):603–8.
Shimadzu Corporation. GCMS-QP2010 Ultra User Manual. Kyoto: Shimadzu Corporation; 2020.
Parul R, Kundu SK, Saha P. In vitro nitric oxide scavenging activity of methanol extracts of three Bangladeshi medicinal plants. Pharma Innov J. 2013;1(12):83–8.
Harborne JB. Phytochemical Methods: A Guide to Modern Techniques of Plant Analysis. 3rd ed. London: Chapman & Hall; 1998.
Rice-Evans CA, Miller NJ, Paganga G. Antioxidant properties of phenolic compounds. Trends Plant Sci. 1997;2(4):152–9.
Moncada S, Palmer RMJ, Higgs EA. Nitric oxide: physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology. Pharmacol Rev. 1991;43(2):109–42.
Münzel T, Camici GG, Maack C, Bonetti NR, Fuster V, Kovacic JC. Impact of oxidative stress on the heart and vasculature: part 2 of a 3-part series. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2023;81(4):410–36.
Ogunrinola GA, Oyewale JO, Oshun PO, Olasehinde GI. Phytochemistry and biological activities of Ocimum gratissimum: current evidence and future prospects. Sci World J. 2021.
Maphetu N, Unuofin JO, Oladipo AO, Lebelo SL. Ocimum gratissimum: chemical composition, phytochemical properties, antioxidants, and pharmacological activities: a review. Plants. 2026;15(11):1662.
Published
Abstract Display: 0 
PDF Downloads: 0 How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2026 Syeda Qadar Unnisa, Afshan Shadab, Tuba Aziz, Ameena Begum, Mariyam Sultana, Siddiqua Tabassum, Fatima Begum
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
