Abstract

Schistosomiasis is the most endemic disease caused by the genus Schistosoma. Its control is dependent on killing the worm itself or one of its larval stages. The objective of this study is to determine the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, evaluating the antioxidant activity of Ocimum canum leaf methanol extract by DPPH and ABTS as well as investigating the efficiency of plant extract against Schistosoma mansoni larval stages. Also, GC-MS analysis of plant extract was carried out. The results revealed that Ocimum canum leaf methanol extract showed high total phenolic content (321.78±0.69 mg GAE/g extract) and flavonoid content (71.64±10.66 mg RE/g extract). Furthermore, there is a significant correlation between the concentration of the extract and the inhibition percentage of the free radicals. The higher inhibition percentage of plant extract was recorded by DPPH than ABTS at 500?g/ml (84% and 62%) respectively. Also, IC50 of DPPH and ABTS (26.41±1.39 and 194.45±2.03) respectively. Regarding to ceracricidal and miracidicidal activity, the plant extract showed larvicidal activity as it killed 82% of cercariae while, it was completely lethal to miracidia at 500ppm within 2 hours. On the other hand, 36 chemical compounds were identified from plant extract. The main components are Phytol (23%), Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (15.48%), 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid methyl ester (14.99%), n-Hexadecanoic acid (7.62%), 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid (5.04%), Ethyl linoleate (3.58%) and 2-Propenoic acid, 3-phenyl-, methyl ester (3.17%). This study suggested that Ocimum canum can be used as promising plant to control schistosomiasis disease as well as its potential antioxidant activity.

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