Project Materials

THE PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF HEXANOLIC EXTRACT OF OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM (SCENT LEAVES)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Background of the Study 

Plants are incredibly versatile when it comes to creating complex compounds that don’t have any evident growth or metabolic processes right away. Secondary metabolites are the name given to these intricate substances. Phytochemicals are the new term for secondary metabolites of plants.

Phytochemicals are physiologically active, naturally occurring plant molecules that may be able to prevent disease. Because of their antioxidant action, phytochemicals are thought to be useful in preventing or treating disease (Halliwell and Gutteridge, 1992; Farombi et al., 1998).

When exposed to free radicals and reactive oxygen species, which have been linked to the aetiology of numerous diseases as well as the deterioration and spoiling of food, antioxidants shield other molecules (in vivo) from oxidation (Halliwell and Gutteridge, 1992; Kasaikina, 1997; Farombi, 2000; Koleva et al., 2000).

Prior to the development of conventional medicine, medicinal herbs were utilised for centuries. Herbal remedies may contain leaves, flowers, stems, roots, seeds, fruit, and bark.

These plants’ constituent phytochemicals, which have distinct physiological effects on the human body, are what give them their therapeutic qualities.

Alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds are the most significant of these phytochemicals (Hill, 1952). The leaves and stems of Ocimum gratissimum Linn (Labiatae) are cultivated for their essential oils.

The oil contains linalool, citral, geraniol, thymol, and eugenol (Sulistiarini, 1999). According to reports, the plant’s essential oils offer a wide range of intriguing antifungal qualities (Dubey et al., 2000).

According to reports, the plant’s essential oil contains antinociceptive properties (Rabelo et al., 2003). Traditional medicine, particularly in Africa and India, uses the entire plant and its essential oil.

Another significant insect repellent is the essential oil. O. gratissimum has been widely used in toothpastes, mouth washes, and some topical ointments due to its germicidal properties (Nakamura et al., 1999; Pessoa et al., 2003; Holets et al., 2003). It works well as a gargle for tonsillitis and sore throats. Additionally, it is utilised as a cough suppressant and expectorant.

The plant extract is used to treat human and animal gastrointestinal helminths (Fakae, 2000; Chitwood, 2003). Furthermore, O. gratissimum is a suitable option for unsettled stomachs due to its carminative qualities. It is used for haemorrhoids and as an emetic.

Rheumatism, paralysis, epilepsy, high fever, diarrhoea, sunstroke, influenza, gonorrhoea, and mental disease are among the other conditions that the plant is used to cure (Dhawan et al., 1977; Oliver, 1980; Abdulrahman, 1992; Osifo 1992; Sofowora, 1993; Sulistiarini, 1999). The southern region of Nigeria also uses the plant as a condiment and spice.

Drugs derived from medicinal plants have the advantages of being easy to use, efficient, and having a wide range of effects. endeavours to document ethnomedical data about medicinal endeavours have increased as a result of WHO and many developing countries’ renewed interest in the usage and significance of African medicinal plants.

This is due to the fact that the majority of traditional healers do not maintain records and that their knowledge is primarily transmitted orally from one generation to the next.

More and more scientists are focussing on natural goods in an effort to find fresh ideas for creating more effective cancer medications.