Abstract:
Curcuma longa (turmeric) and Ocimum tenuiflorum (tulsi) are widely used in traditional medicine for their therapeutic properties. This research aimed to identify the various bioactive compounds present in Curcuma longa and Ocimum tenuiflorum and to examine their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Phytochemical screening, a critical initial step in identifying plant bioactive compounds, often serves as the foundation for drug development. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts identified several bioactive compounds, including phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and saponins. The antioxidant potential was measured using DPPH (2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assays, and antimicrobial activity was assessed using the disk diffusion method. Curcuma longa and Ocimum tenuiflorum showed comparable DPPH free radical scavenging potential to the standard, ascorbic acid. The calculated IC50 values were as follows: ascorbic acid (9.07 µg/ml), Curcuma longa (4.38 µg/ml), Ocimum tenuiflorum (17.89 µg/ml), and the combined extract (1.4009 µg/ml). In antimicrobial testing against various bacterial and fungal strains, both extracts exhibited strong antimicrobial activity, particularly against gram-negative bacteria. Ciprofloxacin demonstrated a zone of inhibition (ZOI) of 22 mm, indicating strong antimicrobial efficacy against a range of pathogens. At a concentration of 60 mg/ml, turmeric alone exhibited a ZOI of 8.5 mm. Tulsi alone showed a ZOI of 11 mm at a concentration of 2000 mg/ml and 9 mm at 1500 mg/ml. In the case of the combination of tulsi and turmeric, a ZOI of 10 mm was observed at a concentration of 250 mg/ml, increasing to 11.5 mm at 500 mg/ml. These findings indicate that Curcuma longa and Ocimum tenuiflorum possess potent antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, validating their traditional medicinal use and supporting further research into their potential as natural therapeutic agents
