Microscopic Studies, Phytochemical and Biological Screenings of <i>Ocimum canum</i>

Abstract

It has been reported that more than 80% of the African population uses traditional medicine to primary healthcare. The aim of the study was to determine the histological elements, the phytochemical composition and evaluate the bioactivities of <i>Ocimum canum</i> in order to promote this plant used in Congolese traditional medicine. The earthworms were collected from the ponds of the secondary forest of Monastère Prieure Notre Dame de l’Assomption in Kinshasa city and the blood used in this study was provided by the Centre de Médecine Mixte et d’Anémie SS in Yolo-Sud quarter, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The histological elements were determined by microscopic examination while different metabolites were determined using thin layer chromatography. Microscopic examination revealed the presence of crystalliferous fibres, fragment of parenchyma, grandular and non-glandular pluricellular trichomes, spheroidal pollen grains, diacytic stomata, spiral vessels. With regard to chromatographic analysis, phytochemicals identified were anthocyanins, coumarins, flavonoids, terpenoids and iridoids. The extracts from <i>O. canum</i> showed good antihelminthic, antisickling and antioxidant activities related to their phytochemicalsAll these findings constitute a scientific evidence validating the use of this medicinal plant for the management of various ailments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.