Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
(eISSN: 2229-4473)
Phytochemical profiling of Ocimum basilicum citriodorum callus and therapeutic potential of callus-derived n-Hexadecanoic acid
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Research Articles | Published: 29 May, 2026
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Keywords: Bioactivity, Callus, Molecular docking, n-hexadecanoic acid, Phytochemical
Abstract
Ocimum basilicum citriodorum (lemon basil) is a medicinal herb recognized for its wide range of therapeutic benefits. The leaf tissues cultured on MS medium having different concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D; 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 5.0, and 10 mg/L) showed maximum percent response for callus initiation and callus biomass accumulation on medium having 1.0 mg/L 2,4-D. Of the three solvents (methanol, acetone, petroleum ether) used for phytochemical extraction, highest total phytochemical yield was recorded in methanol. Qualitative analysis confirmed the accumulation of phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, and coumarins in callus. Total 20 compounds were identified by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry in methanolic extract of callus and among these compounds n-hexadecanoic acid showed the maximum retention time. Bioactivity analysis of n-hexadecanoic acid performed by in silico molecular docking exhibited binding affinity of n-hexadecanoic acid with five different protein targets (Cyclooxygenase-2, Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, Enoyl-ACP Reductase, Acetylcholinesterase, α-Glucosidase) associated with anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antituberculosis, neuroprotective, and antidiabetic activity. This predicts the ability of callus of O. basilicum citriodorum as a sustainable source for therapeutic phytochemicals.
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Author Information
Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, India