Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Evaluaton of Scent Leaf (Ocimum Gratissum)

Abstract— Ocimum gratissimum (commonly known as Scent leaf) is a widely utilized herb in traditional African medicine, reputed for its therapeutic properties, especially in treating microbial infections, oxidative stress-related disorders, and gastrointestinal disturbances. This study aimed to assess both the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical constituents as well as the antioxidant activity of aqueous extracts of Ocimum gratissimum leaves. The qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of bioactive constituents such as saponins, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and steroids. Quantitative analysis showed high concentrations of tannins (6.80 mg/g), alkaloids (4.66 mg/g), and saponins (2.40 mg/g), indicating that the plant possesses potent pharmacologically active compounds. The antioxidant potential of the extract, as measured by the DPPH radical scavenging assay, demonstrated a dose-dependent activity with the maximum scavenging effect of 83.9% at 100 µg/ml concentration. These results strongly support the traditional use of O. gratissimum in managing diseases associated with oxidative stress and support its further investigation for pharmaceutical applications.