title: Phytopharmacological approach of free radical scavenging and anti-oxidative potential of eugenol and Ocimum gratissimum Linn.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate phytopharmacologically eugenol and two extract products of Ocimum gratissimum Linn. (O. gratissimum) (Labiaceae) on free radical scavenging and antioxidant activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Aqueous and methanol extract of fresh aerial part of O. gratissimum were prepared and eugenol (1-allyl-4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzene) was isolated from fresh leaves and characterized by high performance liquid chromatography, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1 h nuclear magnetic resonance. To establish the antioxidant potentiality of aqueous extract, methanol extract and eugenol, 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical, hydroxyl radical, nitric oxide scavenging activity, antioxidant activity by ferric thiocyanate and reducing power were measured in chemical system in vitro.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant (P<0.05) concentration-dependent free radical scavenging activity, antioxidant activity, and reducing power was observed by O. gratissimum products. Moreover, eugenol is more potent than the two extract products of O. gratissimum, but lower than potent antioxidant ascorbic acid.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hence, O. gratissimum presents a potentially valuable source of natural antioxidant and bioactive material.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur - 613401, Tamilnadu, India. Electronic address: santanu@scbt.sastra.edu.
authors.forename: Santanu Kar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Mahapatra
authors.affiliation: Immunology and Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Human Physiology with Community Health, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore - 721102, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Somenath
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roy
keywords: Antioxidant; DPPH; Eugenol; Free radical scavenger; Ocimum gratissimum