Biochemical studies on basil, Ocimum basilicum, and fennel,Foenicum vulgare

Fennel seeds and basil leaves were examined for their proximate analysis (based on dry wt), total phenolic compounds and essential oil composition. Results of the proximate analysis revealed that the moisture percentages were 7.27 and 13.15% for fennel seeds and Basil leaves, respectively. Ash content in fennel seeds was 10.50%, whereas it showed 24.67% in basil leaves. The assigned crude protein content in fennel seeds was 23.19% while, that of basil leaves was 12.60%. The total lipid was 9.96 and 18.91% for fennel seeds and basil leaves, respectively. The fiber and total carbohydrate of fennel seeds were 17.51 and 56.35 % while those of basil leaves estimated were 9.71 and 43.82% respectively. Total phenolic compounds in fennel seeds was 7.55 mg/g while, the estimated value in basil leaves was 5.96 mg/g as Gallic acid. The percentage (based on dry wt) of fennel seeds essential oil was 1. 1% and 0.17% of basil leaves essential oil. The physiochemical properties; specific gravity, refractive index and acid number were, 0.947, 1.510 and 3.4 for fennel seeds oil, respectively, and 0.963,1.508 and, 5.31 for basil leaves oil, respectively. The major compound of fennel essential oil was trans-anethole (92.2%),followed by cineole (4.09%), fenchone (1.2%), a-pinene (0.26%), anisaldehyde (0.95%) and limonene (0.085%). While the major compound of basil essential oil was methyl chavicole (estragole) (91.3%), followed by methyl eugenol (2.6%), 1,8 cineole (1.7%), linalool (1.37%) and eugenol (0.147%). The biological effects of basil leaves and fennel seeds essential oils on lipid profile, kidney and liver functions, some enzyme activities and enzymes in blood and lens were studied. The best decrease for lipid profile was recorded by 15mg/kg b.w in fennel, while 300 mg/kg b.w in basil expect HDL, the best increase 30mg/kg b.w,300mg/kg b.w in fennel and basil, respectively. The best increased of catalase and SOD with fennel 30 mg/kg b.w, 300mg/kg b.w in basil, respectively. While MAD, the best decreased with fennel15mg/kg b.w and basil 150mg/kg b.w.