Preliminary phytochemical screening and micromeretic parameters of Ocimum sanctum L.

Ocimum sanctum L. (Family- Lamiaceae) is an erect annual grows 0.5-1.5 meters in height .The leaves are opposite, about 2-4 cm long, margins entire or toothed, hairy on both the surfaces and are aromatic. The leaves contain eugenol, eugenal, carvacrol, methylchavicol, limatrol and caryophylline. The use of this herb has been reported in Indian Traditional Systems of Medicine and its modern applications are receiving wide spread attention day by day. It has been observed that Ocimum sanctum L. has antioxidant, antibiotic, immunomodulatory, antiinflammatory, analgesic, antiulcer, chemopreventive and antipyretic properties. The investigation was carried out to determine the qualitative analysis of phytochemical Screening and possible chemical components Ocimum sanctum L. leaves. Preliminary phytochemical examination of different extracts of O. sanctum L. leaves shows the presence of Alkaloid, carbohydrates, Glycosides, Volatile oil, Flavanoids, Terpenoids and Tannins. Physicochemical parameters of leaves of the plant are like foreign organic matter (1.5%), total ash (9.2% w/w), acid insoluble ash (5.5% w/w) and water soluble ash (7.5% w/w) were found. Alcohol soluble extractive and aqueous extractive values were found 5.2 & 6.0 % w/w respectively. Micromeretic parameters were also determined and angle of repose (30.96), bulk density (0.24) and tapped density (0.27) were found respectively. From the ongoing studies it can be concluded that the above pharmacognostical characteristics, phytochemical parameters, Micromeretic parameters, together may be utilized for the future studies on O. sanctum L. leaves and might be useful to supplement information about its identification parameters assumed significantly in the way of acceptability of herbal drugs in present scenario lacking regulatory laws to control quality of herbal drugs.

Author(s): Sarang Jain and Ameeta Argal

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