GC-MS analysis and invitro cytotoxic activity of Ocimum basilicum (Lamiaceae) volatile oil and active fraction composed majorly of estragole

Abstract

Ocimum basilicum leaves contain some bioactive compounds and this study was designed to evaluate the cytotoxic efficacy of its volatile oil and fractions. Preliminary screening of the oil obtained by hydrodistillation was carried out using bench-top assay methods employing tadpoles of Raniceps ranninus (10-40 μg/mL), nauplii of Artemia salina (10-1000 μg/mL) and radicles of Sorghum bicolor seeds (1-30 mg/mL). Application of column chromatography and preparative TLC on the oil resulted in fractions that were tested alongside the oil on breast (AU 565) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines at 50 μg/mL. GCMS analysis was carried out on the oil and the most active fraction. A concentration dependent activity was observed in the preliminary screening with the bench-top assays. The active fraction produced greater growth inhibition of the radicle of S. bicolor seeds than the oil. Inhibitions of -1.02 and +23.02 % were realized against AU 565 and HeLa cell lines respectively with the oil, and these were increased to +33.19 and +89.3 % inhibitions respectively with the active fraction. GCMS results revealed the presence of estragole (88.61 %) as being most abundant in the fraction. This result shows the cytotoxic potential of O. basilicum volatile oil, which was increased in its estragole-containing fraction.