Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of extracts of Ocimum africanum L. Lamiaceae

Abstract

    Ocimum africanum L. Lamiaceae (Family: Lamiaceae) exhibits pharmacological benefits such as immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects. In order to determine the biological activities of Vietnamese Ocimum africanum L. Lamiaceae, this study evaluated the antibacterial ability and antioxidant capacity of Ocimum africanum L. Lamiaceae grown in Ninh Thuan province. The results showed that n-hexane, ethanol (EtOH), and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extracts had antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). However, these three extracts were ineffective in inhibiting the growth of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus faecalis. Only EtOH and EtOAc extracts had the effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The analysis of total phenolic content and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging ability showed that EtOAc extract had the strongest antioxidant capacity and the highest total phenolic content. Overall, this study demonstrated the in vitro antibacterial and antioxidant bioactivities, which could be a promising object for further researchs.