Investigation of the Toxicological and Phytochemical Properties of Ocimum sanctum Plant

Abstract

This study investigates the toxicological and phytochemical properties of Ocimum sanctum. Ethanolic extract of O. sanctum leaves were prepared by soaking 200g of grounded O. sanctum leaves sample in 2 L of ethanol in a conical flask for 48 hours. The resulting mixture was filtered using filter paper, and the filtrate was concentrated in a water bath at 45 ^oC to obtain a jelly-like substances. The extract was evaluated for the presence of saponin, tannin, flavonoids, alkaloid, onthraquinons, volatile oil, steroid, and cardiac glycoside. From the pool of acclimatized mice, twenty-five mice were randomly selected. The qualitative phytochemical screening of O. sanctum shows the absence of antraquinone, high presence of volatile oils, and moderate presence of saponins, steroids, cardiac glycoside and alkaloids, with low presence of flavonoids and tannins. Mice administered with 500 mg/kg and 1500 mg/kg showed no sign of toxicity such as difficulty in breathing, movement, food intake and/or mortality. Mice administered with 2,500 mg/kg and 3,500 mg/kg showed sign of toxicity. Acute toxicity of LD₅₀ of O. santum was established at 1,936.49mg/kg.