In vitro Antisickling Activity of Anthocyanins from Ocimum basilicum L. (Lamiaceae)

Some Congolese plant extracts have recently shown an interesting antisickling activity. Four aqueous and ethanolic extracts from two plants Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Staff and Ocimum basilicum L. were evaluated for their antisickling activity. Only O. basilicum L. was found to be active. Anthocyanins crude extract of the leaves of O. basilicum exhibited attractive antisickling activity, thus, supporting the claims of the traditional healers and suggesting a possible correlation between the chemical composition of these plants and their uses in traditional medicine.