COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS OF OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM AND VERNONIA AMYGDALINA

Sylvester C. Ohadoma*, Louis U. Amazu, Joseph C. Enye, Chris E. Okolo

ABSTRACT

Objective: To compare the therapeutic benefits of Ocimum gratissimum and Vernonia amygdalina based on their chemical contents. Materials and Methods: Phytochemical analysis as well as total reducing properties, total antioxidant, total flavonoids,, and vitamin C content determination were carried out on the leaves extract. Colorimetric method was adopted using Gallic acid and rutin standard reagents for total antioxidants (phenols) and total flavonoids respectively. The reducing properties and vitamin C contents were determined using trichloroacetic acid colorimetric and 2, 6- dichlorophenol indophenols titrimetric methods respectively. Results: Both plants showed a good reducing power, significant antioxidant activity, wide distribution of flavonoids, and appreciable vitamin C contents with Vernonia amygdalina having higher values except for total reducing properties, than, Ocimum gratissimum. Conclusion: The leaf extract of V. amygdalina may be associate with wide therapeutic benefits than the extract of O. gratissimum.

Keywords: Ocimum gratissimum, Vernonia amygdalina, therapeutic benefit, Comparative analysis.