Phytochemical Screening, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and In Vitro Anti-lithiatic Effects of Ocimum basilicum Leaves Extracts

Background: Ocimum basilicum L., commonly referred to as "Reyhan”. It has various pharmacological effects, such as anti-hypertensive, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities.


Objective: In the present study, various phytochemical constituents, antioxidant potential, antibacterial activity, and in vitro anti-urolithiasis properties of Ocimum basilicum leaves were investigated.


Methods: Powdered basil leaves were extracted using water, ethanol, methanol, and chloroform by the maceration method. The well-diffusion assay was employed for testing antibacterial activity. Antioxidant capacity was assessed qualitatively by the TLC autography method using two mobile phases and quantitatively by the DPPH radical-scavenging assay using ascorbic acid as a standard. The turbidity method was utilized to assess the anti-urolithiasis efficacy of cystone in vitro.


Results: Phytochemical analysis indicated the existence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, amino acids, lipids, fixed oils, and carbohydrates; however, anthraquinones were absent. All extracts demonstrated antibacterial action against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. An aqueous extract showed the widest diameter of inhibition zones, with S. aureus being 18.71 mm, P. aeruginosa 21.65 mm, and E. coli 20.65 mm. However, it showed very negligible action against K. pneumoniae. The qualitative antioxidant test indicated that all the extracts possessed antioxidant properties. Among these, the methanolic extract possessed the maximum quantitative antioxidant activity; vitamin C was used as a positive control. The in vitro anti-urolithiasis assay showed that the chloroform extract exhibited 61.86% inhibition of crystal formation.


Conclusion: Leaves of Ocimum basilicum exhibited marked antioxidant and antibacterial potentials. The plant also exhibited significant anti-urolithiasis property, which justifies its traditional use in herbal medicine.