Triterpenes and Sterols from Ocimum suave

Abstract

Ocimum species which belong to the family Lamiaceae have several medicinal uses including antimalarial, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, hepato-protective, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, cardio-protective and insect repellent. Ocimum suave Willd is used in traditional medicine to treat ulcers, fever, stomach ache, and bronchopneumonic infections. However, information about bioactive principles from the plant is scanty. This study was conducted to determine the chemical composition of Ocimum suave. Hexane and ethyl acetate extracts from the plant were subjected to chromatographic fractionation using organic solvents. This led to isolation and identification of five compounds namely β-amyrin, betulinic acid, lupeol, β-sitosterol and stigmasterol. The structures of the compounds were determined using spectroscopic method of analysis. Further studies aimed in identification of bioactive compounds from extracts of the plant, especially from polar solvent which are in traditional medicine are needed.