Phytochemistry and Pharmacological/Biological Study of Ocimum Americanum (Lamiaceae): A Review

Authors

  • Yakubu J. Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State
  • Mbaya, H.A Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State
  • Mamza, U.T Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State
  • Yesufu, H.B. Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State
  • Abdulrahman F.I. Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State
  • Sodipo O.A. Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State

Keywords:

Nutrition, Ocimum, Americanum, Pharmacology, Phytochemistry

Abstract

Plants have been the major source of traditional system of medicine since ancient times. They had been a source of food, shelter and medicine. There surge in the use of plant in medication formulation is due to the availability, affordability, accessibility, safety, efficiency and rare side effects as drugs. The Lamiaceae Family are aromatic plants being one of the source of fragrances, flavours, cosmeceuticals, health beverages and chemical terpenes. Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are traded as such in bulk from many developing countries for further value addition in developed countries. Ocimum americanum, known as American basil, lime basil, or hoary basil, is a specie of annual herb in the family Lamiaceae. Despite the misleading name, it is native to Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, China and Southeast Asia which is known for its anaesthetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic and insecticidal properties. In this review, the economic/medicinal uses, phytochemistry, nutritional content, pharmacological as well as biological studies are discussed.

Published

2022-12-31

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2022): UJPICR Volume 2 Number 2 :December, 2022

Section

Articles