Biosorption of cesium-137 and strontium-90 by mucilaginous seeds of Ocimum basilicum

Mucilaginous seeds of Ocimum basilicum were used in uptake studies with cesium-137 and strontium-90. Results showed that uptake was dependent on the structural integrity of the mucilage fibrils. Water imbibed seeds showed higher adsorption of both 137Cs and 90Sr in comparison to seeds pretreated with NaOH, HCl and Na-periodate solution. The uptake was pH dependent and while some divalent metal ions had no or little detrimental effect, the alkali metal ions Li+, Na+ and K+ decreased the uptake. The maximum adsorption capacity was 160 mg cesium g(-1) and 247 mg strontium g(-1) seed dry weight.     

Ocimum basilicum seeds as a pellicular support for immobilizing enzymes

Summary The swollen seeds ofOcimum basilicum consist of a hard core with a pectious porous outer layer to which urease was bound after epoxy activation, through ethylenediamine-glutaraldehyde arm. These seeds can serve as an inexpensive ready to use natural pellicular polysaccharide support for immobilizing enzymes.     

Identification of the Chemotypes of Ocimum forskolei and Ocimum basilicum by NMR Spectroscopy

The chemotypes of Ocimum forskolei Benth and Ocimum basilicum L. growing wild in Oman have been established by ¹³C‐NMR analyses of the vegetative and floral oils of the plants. The chemotypes, estragole for O. forskolei and linalool for O. basilicum, suggested by ¹³C‐NMR fingerprinting were also confirmed by GC‐FID and GC/MS analyses. The oil of O. forskolei demonstrated better activities against bacteria and dermatophytes. The significance of the presence of estragole and linalool in the volatile oils of plants whose fragrances are traditionally inhaled, added to food, or rubbed on the skin are discussed.     

Fungistatic Activity of Essential Oils from Ocimum basilicum Chemotypes

Essential Oils from Ocimum basilicum and their components showed different inhibition effects against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum and Rhizopus nigricans, The different antifungal activity of the essential oils is determined mainly by the percentage of the main components: cineol, linalool, methylchavicol and eugenol.     

罗勒的组织培养和快速繁殖

1植物名称罗勒(Ocimum basilicum L.). 2材料类别顶芽或带腋芽茎段. 3培养条件基本培养基为MS培养基.(1)诱导愈伤组织培养基:MS 6-BA 4 mg·L-1(单位下同) NAA 0.1;(2)诱导丛生芽及生根培养基:MS 6-BA 3 NAA 0.5.以上培养基均含1%琼指、3%蔗糖,pH 5.6～5.8.高压灭菌锅中121℃下灭菌20 min.培养温度为23～24℃,光照时间12 h·d-1,光照度为1 000～1 500 lx.     

Ocimum basilicum miRNOME revisited: A cross kingdom approach

O. basilicum is medicinally important herb having inevitable role in human health. However, the mechanism of action is largely unknown. Present study aims to understand the mechanism of regulation of key human target genes that could plausibly modulated by O. basilicum miRNAs in cross kingdom manner using computational and system biology approach. O. basilicum miRNA sequences were retrieved and their corresponding human target genes were identified using psRNA target and interaction analysis of hub nodes. Six O. basilicum derived miRNAs were found to modulate 26 human target genes which were associated `with PI3K-AKTand MAPK signaling pathways with PTPN11, EIF2S2, NOS1, IRS1 and USO1 as top 5 Hub nodes. O. basilicum miRNAs not only regulate key human target genes having a significance in various diseases but also paves the path for future studies that might explore potential of miRNA mediated cross-kingdom regulation, prevention and treatment of various human diseases including cancer.     

Identification of new potent inhibitor of aldose reductase from Ocimum basilicum

Recent efforts to develop cure for chronic diabetic complications have led to the discovery of potent inhibitors against aldose reductase (AKR1B1, EC 1.1.1.21) whose role in diabetes is well-evident. In the present work, two new natural products were isolated from the ariel part of Ocimum basilicum; 7-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3-methyl-8-β-O-d-glucoside-2H-chromen-2-one (1) and E-4-(6′-hydroxyhex-3′-en-1-yl)phenyl propionate (2) and confirmed their structures with different spectroscopic techniques including NMR spectroscopy etc. The isolated compounds (1, 2) were evaluated for in vitro inhibitory activity against aldose reductase (AKR1B1) and aldehyde reductase (AKR1A1). The natural product (1) showed better inhibitory activity for AKR1B1 with IC₅₀ value of 2.095 ± 0.77 µM compare to standard sorbinil (IC₅₀ = 3.14 ± 0.02 µM). Moreover, the compound (1) also showed multifolds higher activity (IC₅₀ = 0.783 ± 0.07 µM) against AKR1A1 as compared to standard valproic acid (IC₅₀ = 57.4 ± 0.89 µM). However, the natural product (2) showed slightly lower activity for AKR1B1 (IC₅₀ = 4.324 ± 1.25 µM). Moreover, the molecular docking studies of the potent inhibitors were also performed to identify the putative binding modes within the active site of aldose/aldehyde reductases.     

Chemical characterization and genetic relationships among Ocimum basilicum L. cultivars

Twenty-seven Ocimum basilicum cultivars were subjected to a chemical characterization of essential oil components by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and a genetic characterization using the amplified fragment-length polymorphism (AFLP) technique. Since the same 27 accessions had previously been classified into six morphotypes, these analyses allowed us to make detailed comparisons of chemistry, genetics, and morphology. The chemical composition and morphology of the studied cultivars appeared to have a strong genetic component. The AFLP analysis revealed a distinction between the green and purple morphotypes. The green morphotypes predominantly utilized the terpene biosynthetic pathway, while most purple morphotypes primarily utilized the phenylpropene biosynthetic pathway. The GC/MS analysis led to identification of 87 volatiles. Among the 27 cultivars, five chemotypes were identified. A detailed characterization of the essential oil constituents indicated the existence of both specific combinations of compounds and 'private' compounds with the potential to be used in many aspects of human life. The established relationship between a genetic profile, chemical composition, and morphology represents an important step in future breeding programs and in the cultivation of this species.     

薄荷和罗勒提取物体外抗氧化及保肝活性研究

采用国际常用的ABTS和DPPH方法评价唇形科植物薄荷(Mentha haplocalyx) 和罗勒(Ocimum basilicum)水提物和乙醇提取物体外抗氧化活性,选用HepG2细胞,通过乙醇诱导损伤,构建体外酒精性肝损伤细胞模型,以细胞存活率评价薄荷和罗勒提取物的保肝效果。结果表明,DPPH自由基清除能力大小依次为薄荷醇提物、薄荷水提物、罗勒醇提物、罗勒水提物,半效应浓度(EC₅₀)分别为70.42 μg·mL^-1、75.77 μg·mL^-1、354.87 μg·mL^-1、451.53 μg·mL^-1。ABTS自由基清除能力大小依次为薄荷醇提物、罗勒醇提物、薄荷水提物、罗勒水提物,EC50值分别为9.04 μg·mL^-1、18.03 μg·mL^-1、22.18 μg·mL^-1、36.88 μg·mL^-1。薄荷提取物的抗氧化能力整体优于罗勒提取物,醇提物抗氧化能力优于水提物。酒精性肝损伤细胞活性检测表明,5、10、20、50 μg·mL^-1薄荷水提物、薄荷醇提物和罗勒水提物能剂量依赖性地提高乙醇诱导损伤的细胞存活率,具有一定的保肝活性。     

Antioxidative responses of Ocimum basilicum to sodium chloride or sodium sulphate salinization

Soils and ground water in nature are dominated by chloride and sulphate salts. There have been several studies concerning NaCl salinity, however, little is known about the Na₂SO₄ one. The effects on antioxidative activities of chloride or sodium sulphate in terms of the same Na⁺ equivalents (25 mM Na₂SO₄ and 50 mM NaCl) were studied on 30 day-old plants of Ocimum basilicum L., variety Genovese subjected to 15 and 30 days of treatment. Growth, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), relative ion leakage ratio (RLR), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), ascorbate and glutathione contents as well as the activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11); glutathione reductase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2) and peroxidases (POD, EC 1.11.1.7) were determined. In leaves, growth was more depressed by 25 mM Na₂SO₄ than 50 mM NaCl. The higher sensitivity of basil to Na₂SO₄ was associated with an enhanced accumulation of H₂O₂, an inhibition of APX, GR and POD activities (with the exception of POD under the 30-day-treatment) and a lower regeneration of reduced ascorbate (AsA) and reduced glutathione (GSH). However, the changes in the antioxidant metabolism were enough to limit oxidative damage, explaining the fact that RLR and TBARS levels were unchanged under both Na₂SO₄ and NaCl treatment. Moreover, for both salts the 30-day-treatment reduced H₂O₂ accumulation, unchanged RLR and TBARS levels, and enhanced the levels of antioxidants and antioxidative enzymes, thus achieving an adaptation mechanism against reactive oxygen species.     

Enhancing antidiabetic and antimicrobial performance of Ocimum basilicum,and Ocimum sanctum (L.) using silver nanoparticles

The role of silver nanoparticles (AgNps) is an attractive proposition for advancing modern diabetes therapies and applied science. Stable AgNps with a size range of 3–25 nm were synthesized using aqueous leaf extracts from Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum sanctum, and in combination. The concentration of the extracts facilitated the reduction of silver nitrate that led to the rapid formation of AgNps at room temperature, indicating a higher reaction rate as opposed to harsh chemical methods, and high conversion energy usually involved in the synthesis. The size, shape and elemental analysis were carried out using UV–Visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential whilst, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) supported by gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) was used to identify the type of capping agents. Inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes retards the rate of carbohydrate digestion, thereby provides an alternative and a less evasive strategy of reducing postprandial hyperglycaemia in diabetic patients. The AgNps derived from O. sanctum and O. basilicum, respectively displayed an inhibitory effect at 89.31 ± 5.32%, and 79.74 ± 9.51%, respectively, against Bacillus stearothermophilus α-glucosidase enzyme model, indicating an enhanced biocatalytic potential compared to their respective crude extracts and the control. Furthermore, the emerging rate of infections in diabetic patients validates the need for the discovery of dual diabetes therapies. As a result, the bioderived AgNps displayed antimicrobial activity against bacterial species Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, and Salmonella species.     

The antidepressant-like effect of Ocimum basilicum in an animal model of depression

We investigated the efficacy of Ocimum basilicum (OB) essential oils for treating depression related behavioral, biochemical and histopathological changes caused by exposure to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in mice and to explore the mechanism underlying the pathology. Male albino mice were divided into four groups: controls; CUMS; CUMS plus fluoxetine, the antidepressant administered for pharmacological validation of OB; and CUMS plus OB. Behavioral tests included the forced swim test (FST), elevated plus-maze (EPM) and the open ?eld test (OFT); these tests were performed at the end of the experiment. We assessed serum corticosterone level, protein, gene and immunoexpression of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) as well as immunoexpression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Ki67, caspase-3 in the hippocampus. CUMS caused depression in the mice as evidenced by prolonged immobility in the FST, prolonged time spent in the open arms during the EPM test and reduction of open field activity in the OFT. OB ameliorated the CUMS induced depressive status. OB significantly reduced the corticosterone level and up-regulated protein and gene expressions of BDNF and GR. OB reduced CUMS induced hippocampal neuron atrophy and apoptosis, and increased the number of the astrocytes and new nerve cells. OB significantly increased GFAP-positive cells as well as BDNF and GR immunoexpression in the hippocampus.     

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from leaf callus of Ocimum basilicum L

A effective protocol for complete plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis has been developed for Ocimum basilicum L. Callus was initiated from leaf explant of young plant on supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) 1.0 mg l(-1), 3% sucrose and 0.9% agar. The calli showed differentiation of globular structure embryos when transferred to MS medium containing 2,4-D 0.5 mg l(-1) and BAP 1.0 mg l(-1). The maximum globular structure embryos were further enlarged and produced somatic embryos in MS basal medium supplemented with BAP 1.0 mg l(-1)+NAA 1.0 mg l(-1) + KN 0.5 mg l(-1). Continued formation of globular embryo and germination of embryos occurred in this medium. Complete plantlets were transferred onto specially made plastic cup containing soilrite followed by their transfer to the garden soil. Survival rate of the plantlets under ex vitro condition was 80%.     

Antifungal Activity of the Essential Oil of Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

The antifungal and fungicidal effects of two chemotypes of basil (Ocimum basilicum) oil and its major individual components were studied in a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments. Mycelial growth of the plant pathogenic fungus Botrytis fabae was reduced significantly by both the methyl chavicol chemotype oil and the linalol chemotype oil, and the major individual components of the oils all reduced fungal growth, with methyl chavicol, linalol, eugenol and eucalyptol reducing growth significantly. Combining the pure oil components in the same proportions as found in the whole oil led to very similar reductions in fungal growth, suggesting that the antifungal effects of the whole oils were due primarily to the major components. When the fungus was exposed to the oils in liquid culture, growth was reduced by concentrations considerably smaller than those used in the Petri dish studies. Botrytis fabae and the rust fungus Uromyces fabae were also controlled in vivo, with the whole oils of both chemotypes, as well as pure methyl chavicol and linalol, reducing infection of broad bean leaves significantly. Most effective control of fungal infection was achieved if the treatments were applied 3 h postinoculation.     

Photoprotection by foliar anthocyanins mitigates effects of boron toxicity in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Boron (B) toxicity is an important agricultural problem in arid environments. Excess edaphic B compromises photosynthetic efficiency, limits growth and reduces crop yield. However, some purple-leafed cultivars of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) exhibit greater tolerance to high B concentrations than do green-leafed cultivars. We hypothesised that foliar anthocyanins protect basil leaf mesophyll from photo-oxidative stress when chloroplast function is compromised by B toxicity. Purple-leafed ‘Red Rubin’ and green-leafed ‘Tigullio’ cultivars, grown with high or negligible edaphic B, were given a photoinhibitory light treatment. Possible effects of photoabatement by anthocyanins were simulated by superimposing a purple polycarbonate filter on the green leaves. An ameliorative effect of light filtering on photosynthetic quantum yield and on photo-oxidative load was observed in B-stressed plants. In addition, when green protoplasts from both cultivars were treated with B and illuminated through a screen of anthocyanic protoplasts or a polycarbonate film which approximated cyanidin-3-O-glucoside optical properties, the degree of photoinhibition, hydrogen peroxide production, and malondialdehyde content were reduced. The data provide evidence that anthocyanins exert a photoprotective role in purple-leafed basil mesophyll cells, thereby contributing to improved tolerance to high B concentrations.