Keywords
Medicinal
Oils
Volatile
Eugenol
Drug resistance
Bacterial
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Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the chemical composition, antimicrobial activity, and cytotoxicity of Ocimum gratissimum essential oil and discuss its potential for future pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. Methods: The chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum microbicidal concentration assays against clinically relevant Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and yeasts. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT assay in J774A.1 murine macrophages. Results: Fifteen compounds were identified, accounting for 98.0% of the total oil composition, with eugenol (47.3%), cis-β-ocimene (25.9%), and germacrene D (11.5%) as the predominant constituents. The oil exhibited antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms, with MIC values ranging from 0.03% to 1.5% and microbicidal activity observed at concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 1.83%. In the cytotoxicity assays, the oil showed a concentration-dependent effect, with greater toxicity at higher concentrations and a lower impact on cell viability at lower dilutions. Conclusion: The essential oil exhibited a chemical composition rich in bioactive metabolites, associated with antimicrobial activity against clinically important pathogens. Despite the observed cytotoxicity, the findings indicate promising potential for future pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications, provided that further safety and efficacy studies are conducted.
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