Biological activity, toxicological effects, and bioactive chemical composition of an extract from the leaves of Ocimum Gratissimum .L.

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1996-02-22
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Abstract
Scientific bases for the traditional use of the leaves of O. gratissimum L. as a medical remedy for the treatment of stomach diseases and as a protectant of stored food grains from pests in Africa have been attempted. Although, the oil (and some of its fractions) from the leaves have been shown to inhibit the growth of gram-negative bacteria, which cause stomach disorders such as vomiting and diarrhoea, its prolong use as a drug for humans could be harmful since it was found to be toxic to brine shrimps (Artemia sauna) and tadpoles of the African toad (Bufo regularise) . The crude unseparated oil from the leaves strongly repelled Sitophilus zeaznais, S.oryzae, Callosobruchus sp. and Trogoderma granarium which are common insect pests of stored food grains in Ghana. The oil and its major component inhibited the growth of Phytophthora paniivora Butler and of blackpod lesion development on detached pods of cocoa (Theobroma cacao.L.) The major and biologically active fraction in the oil is spectroscopically and chemically proved to be thymol.
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A thesis submitted to the Board of Postgraduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the Degree of Master of Science in Organic Chemistry, 1996
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