Antimicrobial Evaluation and Fraction-Based Profiling of Basil Essential Oil Against Vaginal Pathogens

Area of Science:

• Phytochemistry
• Microbiology
• Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

• Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) possesses a history of traditional medicinal use.
• Essential oils are recognized for their diverse biological activities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of basil essential oil (BEO).
• To identify the primary bioactive compounds responsible for these activities.
• To assess the safety of BEO on beneficial microorganisms and human cells.

Main Methods:

• Antioxidant activity assessed using DPPH and ABTS assays.
• Antimicrobial efficacy determined via inhibition zone and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays.
• Chemical composition analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
• Fractionation performed using preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Main Results:

• BEO exhibited significant antioxidant capacity with EC50 values of 115.36 µg/mL (DPPH) and 54.77 µg/mL (ABTS).
• Effective antimicrobial activity was observed against Gardnerella vaginalis, Fannyhessea vaginae, Chryseobacterium gleum, and Candida albicans.
• Methyl trans-cinnamate was identified as the principal active compound in the most potent fraction (Fr. 3).
• BEO demonstrated no toxicity towards Lactobacillus crispatus or human dermal fibroblasts.

Conclusions:

• Basil essential oil possesses notable antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
• The study validates traditional uses of basil for medicinal purposes.
• BEO is a promising safe, natural therapeutic agent for various applications.