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“Tulsi” - the Wonder Herb (Pharmacological Activities of Ocimum Sanctum)
Abstract
Ocimum sanctum is an annual herb belonging to the mint family with 150 varieties worldwide. Ocimum sanctum emits a spicy scent when bruised. It is believed to purify expectorants, and called the “wonder herb”. Tulsi is pungent and bitter in taste, pungent in the post digestive effect and has hot potency. The roots, leaves and seeds of Tulsi possess several medicinal properties. Ayurvedic texts categorise Tulsi as stimulant, aromatic and antipyretic. It has a variety of biological / pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti protozoal, anti malarial, anthelmentic, anti diarrhoeal, analgesic, antipyretic, anti inflammatory, anti allergic, antihypertensive, cardio protective, central nervous system (CNS) depressant, memory enhancer, antihypercholesterolaemic, hepatoprotective, anti diabetic, anti asthmatic, anti thyroidic,
antioxidant, anticancer, chemopreventive, radio protective, immunomodulatory, anti fertility, antiulcer, anti arthritic, adaptogenic / anti stress, anti cataract, anti leucodermal and anticoagulant activities. Its leaves are helpful in sharpening memory and in curing fever and common cold. Ocimum contains fixed oil which is confirmed by chemical tests for glycerine. The plant increased the physical endurance and prevented stress-induced ulcers.
... Its herbal tea is the best-known home remedy as it shows a wonderful effect on sore throat and headache. Furthermore, the antibacterial properties of O. sanctum are reported to fight various bacterial diseases, skin infections, and seasonal allergies 4,5 . ...
... No 8,9,21,23) Concentration D = Co-injection with the standard compound (Sr. No 1,2,3,4,5,9,12,15,28,29) to the ground and primary branches. On the contrary, the reported data from Poland had shown the absence of methyl eugenol in the essential oil of O. sanctum at four stages (pre-flowering, flowering, end of flowering, and fruit-bearing) 34 . ...
To determine the effect of growth stages on the essential oil quality for medicinal and industrial prospective, Ocimum sanctum L. was collected from three different sites of north India at the vegetative and full blooming stage. Soils collected from these sites were analyzed and the results reflected that the pH scale ranged from 6.36 to 6.76, electrical conductivity from 0.51 to 0.64 dS m⁻¹, organic carbon from 4.04 to 5.95 %, and water holding capacity from 35.96–59.02 %. GC/MS analysis of the oils resulted in the identification of total 21, 23, 30, 34, 21, and 31 compounds representing 95.73 %, 98.94 %, and 95.10 % of the oil at vegetative and 97.16 %, 99.54 %, and 94.94 % of the oil at the full blooming stage. The effect was most notable in the essential oil composition at all growth stages. β-Elemene (26.52–57.92 %), eugenol (1.22-45.06 %), (E)-β-ocimene (0.01-17.74 %), germacrene D (0.04–17.55 %), (E)-caryophyllene (8.70–39.31 %) and α-copaene (1.24–7.11 %) were the main components of the oils. On the other hand, the predominance of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (52.30–79.82 %) was higher in both stages of oil composition than followed by others. It was found that during the first harvest, β-elemene (57.92 %) was present as the major compound in the oil while eugenol (45.06 %) was the predominant component in the second harvest.
... Liver Protection: In liver, it mitigates the metabolic breakdown and aides in expelling hazardous synthetic compounds from the blood and detoxifies the body. Anti-diabetic-insulin and glucose normalizes blood sugar and blood-lipid levels (Sai Krishna et al., 2014). ...
... Lowers blood glucose: It also helps to balance sugar in the blood and regulates insulin metabolism that can reduce fasting blood glucose. It also acts as ulcer healer by acting as therapeutic agent against peptic ulcer disease (Sai Krishna et al., 2014). ...
... Several books dealing with Ethnobotany have been published are-The Handbook of Aromatic Plants (Bhattacharjee, 2005), A Revised Classification of the Forest Types (CBD, 2006), The Purpose of Ethnobotany (Harshberger, 1896), Ethnobotany: Interdisciplinary Science Reviews (Jain,1986), Herbal Drugs in Tribal Rajasthan (Jain,1986), Ethnobotany of the Primitive Tribes in Rajasthan (Joshi,1995), Common Indian Wildflowers (Kapoor et al., 2008), Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development (Khan,2005), Indian Medicinal Plants (Trivedi, 2009) and Dictionary of Economic Plants in India (Singh et al., 1996). Significant work on the present subject has been boosted by several workers from every corner of the world Netherland (Anthwal et al., 2010;Kapoor et al., 2008), London (Krishna et al., 2014) including India West Bengal (Basu, 2000) Western Himalaya (Malik et al. 2016), Western Ghats ( Dutta et al. 2014; Gadgi, 1994), Tamil Nadu (Subbu and Prabha, 2009; Arulappan et al. 2015 ), Arunachal Pradesh (Gangwar and Ramakrishnan, 1990), Madhya Pradesh (Ahirwar, 2015), Uttarakhand Himalaya (Anthwal et al. 2010). In Rajasthan, Ethnobotanical studies have been carried out by several scientists from different parts of the state mainly Jaipur (Sen and Batra, 2008) Alwar (Singh, 1999), Dang (Sharma and Khandelwa 2010), Udaipur (Jain et al., 2005;Katewa et al., 2002;Katewa and Arora 1997;Katewa et al., 2003;Sebastian and Bhandari, 1988), Southern Rajasthan (Katewa et al., 2003;Singh and Vaghese, 2004;Meena and Yadav, 2010;Rana et al., 2014), Eastern Rajasthan (Kapoor et al. 2008;Singh and Panday, 1980), Hadoti Plateau Southern Rajasthan including Jhalawar (Dadhic et al., 2013;Dadhich and Rathore, 2015;Dadhich and Rathore, 2016; Rathore et al., 2021a; Rathore et al., 2021b, Srinivasula andSrinivasulu, 2006). ...
Every living organism like human, plants, animals and microbes are dependent on non-living things for their survival in any environment. Ecosystem provides a relationship between living and non-living things to connect and fulfil their requirements in natural environment. Ecosystems are categorised on various types like terrestrial ecosystem like forest, desert, grassland and aquatic ecosystem like pond, river, oceanic, estuaries, mangrove, swamp etc. All ecosystems are unique in nature, due to its abiotic and biotic components. There are a number of abiotic components: soil, water and air broadly divided in two groups: inorganic and organic components, and the categories of living organisms are plant, animals, human and microorganisms. Services are benefits consumed by living organisms directly or indirectly from their ecosystem. The term nature’s services first time used by Westman, (1977) in science as title “How much nature’s service worth?”
Ecosystem Services (ES) are the benefits provided to humans through the transformations of resources (or environmental assets, including land, water, vegetation and atmosphere) into a flow of essential goods and services e.g. clean air, water and food (Constanza et al. 1997; Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005). The term ecosystem services can be used synonymous term as a natural capital that yields benefits and economic value to the human.
People living on earth cannot survive without taking services from the environment. Food is essential for the human being, so it has been considered as important services as compared to other services like oxygen, water, sunlight, soil and biodiversity. People, who are living near forest, are availing forest ecosystem services as a life supporting system with their dependent livelihood on it.
... Tulsi is regarded to be an adaptogen, balancing different processes in the body, and helpful for alter to stress [7]. Sai et al. [8] reported that its strong aroma and sharp taste, it is regarded in Ayurveda as a kind of 'elixir of life' and believed to nurture longevity. Patnayak et al. [2] also updated in his literature that Ocimum sanctum L. (Tulsi) is an erect, much branched sub-shrub 30-60 cm tall, with simple opposite green or purple leaves that are strongly scented and hairy stems. ...
Tulsi or holy basil is a dedicated plant of India. It is a pungent plant in the family Lamiaceae which is mother to the Indian subcontinent and widespread as a cultivated plant throughout the Southeast Asian tropics. Tulsi is considered to be an adaptogen, balancing different processes in the body, and helpful for adapting to stress. Tulsi, one with a purple‑colored leaf or dark variety, commonly known as the Shyama or Krishna Tulsi and the second type with a green‑colored leaf or light variety known as Rama Tulsi or Sri Tulsi. The chemical composition of Tulsi is highly complex, containing many nutrients and other biologically active compounds. Tulsi also helps to check cancers caused by toxic compounds by reducing DNA damage. Tulsi has also been shown to boost defenses against infective threats by intensify immune responses in non-stressed and stressed animals and healthy humans. The O. sanctum fixed oil elongate clotting time, response being similar to aspirin. Basil juice is an effective medicament for sore eyes and night-blindness, which is generally caused by deficiency of vitamin A
... The OS has been noted for the significant forestallation of transient cerebral ischemia and long haul cerebral hypoperfusion. Basic unsaturated fat contents like linoleic and linoleic acids promote the production of PGE 1 and PGE 3 which restrain the arrangement of PGE 2. Thus Ocimum sanctum offers huge assurance against the treatment of hypertension and cardiac problems (Krishna et al. 2014). ...
Ocimum sanctum, an aromatic and medicinal herb, has gained a special importance for its pharmacological potential since time immemorial. The meaning of tulsi in Sanskrit is “Matchless” and called as queen of all the herbs. O. sanctum is well known for its religious, spiritual, and cultural sanctity. OS tastes pungent and bitter. Its effect is hot, light, and dry. The root, leaves, and seed of OS possess several medicinal values. Cultivation of tulsi is widely done for its uses in pharmaceutical industry, perfumery, cosmetics industry, and indigenous systems of medicine. Treatment of the several ailments has been successfully performed from the time of Ayurveda. Ayurveda classifies OS as stimulant, aromatic, and antipyretic herbs; it shows activity by alleviating kapha and vata while aggravating pitta. The special attention has been given to essential oils along with herbal extract in scientific research due to their extraordinary potential in pharmacology, aromatic flavors, and extensive traditional practice. These phytochemicals are discovered from a different class of plant secondary metabolites, namely, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, coumarins, tannins, terpenoids, essential oils, fixed oils, and steroids as well as some vitamins and minerals. A plethora of pharmacological activities such as anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, free radical scavenger, anti-diabetic, antileishmanicidal, central nervous system (CNS) depressant, anticoagulant, ulcer protective, antifungal, hepatoprotective, antihypertensive, cardioprotective, antiasthmatic, immunomodulatory, antifertility, antiulcer, antiviral, and antimicrobial activity have been reported for OS. The different study suggests OS have no toxic effect in humans; peoples are using its leaf and stem from traditional periods of time, so OS is safe for the treatment of diseases directly as herbal medicine or as a nutraceutical for prevention of diseases. The information and data regarding traditional uses, major chemical constituents, pharmacological potentials, clinical study, and marketed formulation of tulsi have been well explored and noted in this chapter.Keywords
Ocimum sanctum
Medicinal herbPhytochemistryPharmacological potentialAnti-cancer
... In a study using molecular dynamics simulations, Kumar et al. [19] report that withaferin A (Wi-A) and withanone (Wi-N), derived from a common Ayurvedic herb called Ashwagandha, may block the entry of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) into cells. Several herbs including Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) and Haldi (Curcuma longa-turmeric) used as Ayurvedic medicines are well known for their immunomodulatory properties [20][21][22][23][24]. Ayurvedic treatment has also been found to be effective in other COVID-like illnesses such as influenza [25][26][27] and chikungunya [28]. ...
Background
We report a high-risk case of a coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19)-positive patient with comorbidities including diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), hypothyroidism and chronic kidney disease (CKD), treated successfully using an integrative therapy plan based on Ayurveda and Yoga, along with government-mandated compulsory modern western medicine (MWM) treatment. Recently, some evidence has been emerging on the use of Ayurveda for treatment of COVID-19. The classical texts of Ayurvedic medicine such as Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita contain descriptions of pandemics of similar proportions and describe them as Janapadoddhvansa , meaning the destruction of communities, along with their causes and treatment.
Case presentation
The case reported herein is a 55-year-old man from Delhi, India, with confirmed (tested) COVID-19, who first took MWM for 7 days before seeking integrative therapy. The patient has comorbidities including DM, HTN, hypothyroidism and CKD and had developed symptoms including fever (which was resolved by the time integrative therapy was started), sore throat, dry cough, body aches, weakness, bad taste and smell, and heaviness in the abdomen. Based on the patient’s symptoms and comorbidities, a treatment plan including Ayurvedic medicines, Yoga protocol, dietary recommendations and lifestyle modifications was prescribed by a registered Ayurveda doctor and a Yoga consultant. The patient started experiencing improvement in all the symptoms within 2 days after starting the treatment; he reported approximately $$75\%$$ 75 % relief from the symptoms after 5 days, and almost complete relief within 9 days. Also, the blood sugar levels (both fasting blood sugar [FBS] and postprandial blood sugar [PPBS]) exhibited significant improvement after 5 days, and decreased to within the normal range within 12 days. Besides relief in symptoms, the patient’s real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test done on the 19th day returned negative results.
Conclusions
Integrative therapy was found to be effective in mitigating the symptoms of COVID-19 in this patient with multiple comorbidities. Moreover, a significant improvement in blood sugar levels (not under control with modern medicine) was also achieved. Integrative therapy based on the classical texts of Ayurveda and Yoga may offer a promising and scalable treatment option for COVID-19 patients. A case series or a suitably designed randomized controlled trial is needed to assess its efficacy.
... In Pakistan, it is found in Punjab, KPK and Azad Jammu Kashmir (Table 4). It is known as Queen of herbs, commonly called Holy basil/sacred basil and locally its name is "Tulsi" (Sai Krishna et al. 2014). Its leaves and stem contain flavonoids, triterpenoids, saponins, tannins (Jaggi et al. 2003) and phenolic acid (Kelm et al. 2000). ...
Diabetes is the most growing disease and becoming the third ‘killer’ of mankind, after cancer and cardiovascular diseases due to its high prevalence, morbidity, and mortality. According to the Diabetes Prevalence Survey of Pakistan (2017), approximately 21.9 million adult population of Pakistan is suffering from diabetes mellitus. Pakistan’s National Diabetes Survey stated that 26 percent of Pakistanis are victims of diabetes. According to a fresh survey (2017) conducted by Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar “One in every six persons is diabetic in Pakistan”. The severity of this disease is increasing day by day in the world as well as in Pakistan. As Pakistan is a developing country, it is impossible to provide modern medical facilities for the treatment of diabetes to every person. But indigenous medicinal plants are the potential candidates to cure this disease. A variety of chemical compounds (i.e. polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolic content, tannins, saponin and glycoside) present in the various parts of the indigenous plants e.g. leaves, roots, stem, wood, fruit, seeds, flowers etc which alone or with the combination of other compounds gives superior effects in the management of this disease. This review will provide information about the antidiabetic potential of indigenous plants of Pakistan along with the local names, there region of availability in Pakistan, and there antidiabetic bioactive compounds which are reported in research studies.
... Tulasi's antimicrobial activity against a range of human and animal pathogens suggests that it can be used as a hand sanitizer, mouthwash, and water purifier as well as in animal rearing, wound healing, herbal raw materials and the preservation of foodstuffs [9]. Tulasi leaves sprinkled over cooked food prevents bacterial growth during the eclipses [10]. In addition to this, water-soluble flavonoids like orientin and vicenin present in tulasi provided significant protection against radiation-induced sickness and death [11]. ...
The present experiment is to study the effect of Tulasi, kusha, and copper on the Physical properties of water. In the study, commonly growing Tulasi (basil), and dry kusha, and the commercially available copper wire were used. Tulasi, kusha, and copper with a weight of 100 mg, 250 mg, and 500 mg were used. Materials were immersed in the glasses with 100 ml water and conductivity, turbidity, and pH of the water was measured at the time duration of immediate, two hours, four hours, six hours, and 24 hr. The Experiment conducted for five trials with three replications each and a total of 15 numbers. Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to assess changes between groups in all variables. Tulasi and copper decrease conductivity and turbidity of water irrespective of their weight while there was an exponential significant increase of these properties of water by kusha with the direct relation of its weight during all the duration of time. Tulasi, kusha, and copper decrease the pH of water for all the duration of time, and this decreasing trend is more by increasing their weight. Tulasi and copper decrease conductivity and turbidity of water while kusha increases these properties. All these materials decrease the pH of water during all the duration of time and this decreasing trend is more by increasing their weight.
... Adaptogens are agents that help the body cope with stress, enhance physical and mental health and promote longevity. Traditional uses: Tulasi is also known as "the elixir of life" since it promotes longevity (Chaurasia, 2015;Cohen, 2017;Sai Krisna et al., 2014;Tewari et al., 2012). Essential oils of Tulasi have antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties (Singh et al., 2005). ...
Ocimum sanctum L. (OS) known as “Selasih Miik” or “Tulasi” in Bali, Indonesia, “Tulsi” in Hindi, and ‘Holy Basil’ in English is an very important for therapeutic potensials. The leaves, stem, flower, root, seeds and even whole plant of Tulasi it used in traditional nutritious food and medicine food. Tulasi is often enjoyed as a simple herbal tea and is frequently blended with other herbs and spices for various low cost nutritious food, medicinal food and culinary purposes.
... The plant is effective against coughs, cold and flu and has been used as such in Ayurveda for possibly thousands of years. The plant is also used in Ayurveda against fever [10] . As a result the plant can prove useful in providing symptomatic relief against COVID-19. ...
Corona virus SARS-CoV-2, otherwise known as COVID-19 has since its outbreak in late December 2019, till as of June 23, 2020 has infected 9,162,375 people throughout the world and caused deaths of 473,087 persons. The Bangladesh statistics for COVID-19 are 122,660 infections and 1,582 deaths. Although the figures seem low for Bangladesh, it can surge anytime because of the high density of the population and limited practice of social distancing. Moreover, treatment of COVID-19 is costly and proper medical services not adequately available in rural areas of the country. As a result, many people who cannot afford to visit modern doctors rely on home remedies/folk medicine for treatment. In this article, we report several such cases of home remedies where the patient got cured with or without use of other types of treatment. Since most home remedies utilized plant(s), the possible significance of the phytochemicals in the plant(s) are discussed.
... Tulsi is in much demand for its medicinal and aromatic properties, particularly in Ayurveda. The plant acts as a natural anti-stress agent and boosts immune system [7]. Besides, Tulsi is less water intensive crop and is less affected by animal depredation and pest-diseases as opposed to other major cereal crops [8]. ...
The scope of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) as an alternative crop and means of livelihood, particularly for the rural poor, has not been extensively explored. Tulsi is in much demand for its medicinal and aromatic properties, particularly in Ayurveda. With increased depredation of cereal crops by wildlife, increased pest incidence, and decreasing availability of water for agriculture, an attempt was made to explore alternative livelihoods through Tulsi cultivation and value chain development. Using cross-sectional survey data of beneficiary households, the study employed the ordinary least squares method to examine the relationship between total crop income and the income from Tulsi for 2016 and 2017. The findings suggest that the average household’s gross profit more than doubled within a span of two years. Total crop income of beneficiary farmers increased by 0.8 percent for every 1 percent increase in income from Tulsi. Most importantly, the intervention has shown a tremendous adoption rate. Initially, in 2013, 200 farmers cultivated Tulsi on 8.72 hectors of unirrigated and fallow land in the five beneficiary villages, but by 2017, towards the end of the intervention period, 400 farmers were cultivating the crop on 19.6 hectors of unirrigated, fallow land in 19 villages in Chamoli District. Tulsi farming and value chain development intervention not only provided marginal and smallholder farmers in these villages with a sustainable alternative additional livelihood option but also an opportunity where they were able to sustainably generate income from unirrigated, fallow land.
... Historically, it is known for its healing power that dates back over thousands 52 of years. The plant acts as a natural anti-stress agent and boosts immune system [7]. Tulsi is less water 53 intensive crop and is less affected by animal depredation and pest-diseases as opposed to other major 54 cereal crops. ...
This study assesses the pursued impacts of Tulsi value chain development intervention on the livelihoods of rural poor in Uttarakhand state of India. Tulsi as an alternative livelihood, particularly for the rural poor, is less explored. With increased crop depredation of major cereal crops grown in the district by wild animals and pests, and decreasing availability of water agriculture, attempts were made to improve earnings from Tulsi as an alternative livelihood. Findings suggest that the average households’ gross profit from Tulsi farming increases by more than double within a span of two years. Total crop income of beneficiary farmers’ increases by 0.8 percent for every 1 percent increase in Tulsi income. Intervention helped enhance productivity of Tulsi, thereby enhancing earnings from Tulsi farming. Most importantly, intervention has shown a tremendous adoption rate. Towards the end of the intervention, the value chain work was out-scaled to another 19 villages in Chamoli district, thereby reaching out to more than 400 households.
... Ocimum sanctum known as Holy Basil/Tulsi has a rich and fanciful history in the Ayurveda for its immense curative and multipurpose utility. 1 It belongs to Lamiaceae family which has aromatic and bitter in taste, native to Indian sub continent and wide spread throughout the South East Asian countries. 2 . ...
... Tulasé's antimicrobial activity against a range of human and animal pathogens suggests that it can be used as a hand sanitizer, mouthwash and water purifier as well as in animal rearing, wound healing, herbal raw materials and the preservation of foodstuffs (Cohen, 2014). Tulasé leaves sprinkled over cooked food prevents bacterial growth during the eclipses (Krishna, Ramesh, & Kumar, 2014). In addition to this, rigorous studies by scientists have also found that water-soluble flavonoids orientin and vicenin present in tulasé provided significant protection against radiation-induced sickness and death (Baliga, Rao, Rai, & D'souza, 2016). ...
Multiple chemical and filter methods are available to balance the pH and total dissolved substances (TDS) in water. We used different doses of whole fresh Tulsi, dry Kusha and Copper as additives to water to assess the changes in conductivity, turbidity and pH properties at periodic intervals. Our preliminary results suggests that tulsi and kusha might act as potential buffers in regulating the conductivity, turbidity and pH levels.
... 22 Tulsi Swaras (Ocimum sanctum) is known to possess antiinflammatory, anti-asthmatic and immunomodulatory properties. 23 Thus, all the ingredients may help in alleviating the symptoms of Bronchial Asthma. ...
Background: Asthma, known as “Tamaka Shwasa” in Ayurveda, as a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways associated with increased airway hyper-responsiveness, recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing, particularly at night/early morning. The key component to improving control and preventing attacks is the avoidance of triggers. Swasawin Asthaloc tablet, a polyherbal proprietary medication, is claimed to be effective in asthma. The Objective of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Swasawin Asthaloc tablets when given as add-on therapy to patients suffering from mild to moderate persistent bronchial asthma.Methods: The study was initiated after receiving Institutional Ethics Committee approval. Patients suffering from mild-to-moderate persistent bronchial asthma were randomized to 2 study groups after written informed consent process for 6 months. Group I received the study medication Swasawin Asthaloc tablet (1 tablet twice daily) in addition to regular anti-asthmatic medications (inhaler ± oral medications). Group II received Placebo tablets in a similar dose as add-on therapy. The study efficacy parameters included spirometry, breath holding time (BHT), Asthma symptom score and Ayurvedic Asthma symptom score.Results: 60 patients were enrolled in the study, of which 50 patients completed the study. In case of spirometry, both FEV1 and PEFR values showed statistically significant improvement at the end of 6 months therapy. Significant improvement in the Breath Holding Time (BHT), Ayurvedic Asthma symptom score and Asthma symptom score was observed in the active group as compared to the baseline (p <0.001).Conclusions: Add-on therapy with Swasawin Asthaloc tablets helped in reducing bronchial inflammation and improving asthmatic symptoms by virtue of its anti-inflammatory, bronchodilatory and antihistaminic properties. Hence it can be used as add-on therapy in patients with mild-to-moderate persistent bronchial asthma and may decrease the need for rescue medications especially steroids.
... The process of cataractogenesis was delayed. It delayed the onset and subsequent maturation of cataract [70,71]. ...
Tulsi is a Sanskrit word that means “matchless one”. Ocimum sanctum is a plant of family Lamiaceae, is commonly known as Holy Basil. Characteristically, the plant imparts a pungent, bitter, hot, light and dry effect. Holy Basil is extensively famous and has been used since centuries in Ayurvedic and Greek medicines owing to its beneficially diverse properties. O. sanctum (Tulsi in Hindi) has a significant place in Hindu culture, being used in an array of traditional medicaments and as a condiment. Online published articles, journals, internet sites, Pubmed, Scopus and Google Scholar were explored for data collection. Since Ayurveda times, various parts such as leaves, roots, seeds and whole plant has been recommended for treatment of a spectrum of diseases including bronchitis, dysentery, malaria, diarrhea, eye ailments, dermatological issues, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Scientifically, it has been proven that O. sanctum possesses anticancer, anti-diabetic, anti-fertility, antifungal, antimicrobial, cardio protective, analgesic, antispasmodic and adaptogenic, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antiallergic, antipyretic, antiviral, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory, CNS depressant and anti-arthritis activities. Its biologically active constituent is known as Eugenol (1-hydroxy-2-methoxy-4-allylbenzene) which is responsible for the mediation of therapeutic characteristics. This review is an attempt to summarize the botanical, pharmacological, phytochemical, ethno medicinal, and toxicological information. This is an effort to help researchers and clinicians to be aware of the magical properties and the effectiveness of Tulsi.
The survey was conducted to study in certain tribal-dominated areas of the South-eastern
Rajasthan also known as Hadoti region. The climate of the Hadoti region is on the whole fairly dry, healthy and is one of the rainiest parts of the Rajasthan state. The Hadoti ecoregion is habited by Meena, Kanjar, Banjara, Bheel, Sahariya and other tribal communities. This region is diversified in terms of the traditional culture of its indigenous system. Their Socio-cultural diversity also prevails in plant communities used by them. This traditional culture has a notable impact on society and the environment. These forest dweller communities have been dependent on forest-based products for their folk culture, spiritual rites, myths, magical-religious practices, and other social ceremonies. Collection of NTFPs (Non-Timber Forest Products) such as seeds, fruits, tender leaves, dye raisins and gum provide an additional source of ritual items and income to these households. About 75% of forest-dependent people supplement their ritual practices by timber, flowers and fruits all around the year. In the present study, an attempt has been made on cultural, religious rites, myths, magical-religious practices and social rituals associated with plants along with their conservation and sustainable utilization practices of major tribal communities namely Sahariya, Bheel, Meenas, Gadolialohars, Kalbelias, Raibaries, Banjara, Sansis of South-eastern Rajasthan. The paper deals with the documentation of total 36 plant species used by the rural people of Hadoti in various ritual ceremonies. Out of 36 plants species studied, 31 species belonging to dicotyledons and 05 to monocotyledons, under 32 genera are being used traditionally by the tribals.
This book is an effort to throw light on the importance of biologically active molecules which are isolated from different plants, their biological activity, extraction from natural sources and their in vivo production to preserve the biodiversity of medicinal plants.
This is a medicinal plant belonging to the family Lamiaceae, and the botanical name is Ocimum Sanctum. Tulsi is widely used for its various healing properties and is called a ‘queen of the herb’. All the parts of the plant are helpful, including leaves and seeds. The Incomparable One and the mother of natural medicine are the other names of Tulsi. Tulsi is available in India, Burma, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Southwest Asia, China, Thailand, and Malaysia. The plant is an erect, much-branched subshrub, 30-60cm tall, with hairy stems and simple, green leaves that are strongly scented. It is native globally tropics and widely cultivated for its medicinal value. In the traditional system of medicine, different parts of Tulsi have been recommended for the treatment of bronchitis, malaria, diarrhoea, dysentery, skin diseases, eye diseases, arthritis, insect bites, and so on. Pharmacological actions like anti-cancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antimalarial, antimicrobial, and anti-fertility are present in the Aromatic plant. These activities may be attributed mainly to phytochemicals like eugenol, ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, methyl chavicol, linalool, etc.
The COVID-19 disease has currently overwhelmed all other health issues throughout the world. There can be many repercussions on existing public health issues, especially tuberculosis (TB), which is endemic in many low and middle-income countries (LMICs). In most of the LMICs, the health services are poorly equipped, the resources being diverted to control the pandemic of COVID-19, which can lead to grave consequences for LMICs. COVID-19 and TB are known to affect the respiratory system, so their symptoms are very similar, and at times can be perplexing for diagnosis. Moreover, lack of proper treatment and vaccine for COVID-19 can further increase the mounting pressure. Synthetic drugs, such as hydroxychloroquine, are currently being used, but the side effects are a cause of concern. Hence, the efficacy of repositioned drugs is still under evaluation. The situation is further worsened by the possible development of drug-resistant mutants. What we need in current times is potential novel anti-viral drugs that are highly productive and economic in control and management of viral infections in LMICs. The only option which we can look upon is the natural products which are also known as bioactive compounds and their phytochemicals like flavonoids, alkaloids and peptides that have anti-viral secondary metabolites which have shown promising results on COVID-19. This review systematically emphasizes the urgency for treatment options, which can be both safe and effective, especially for TB patients from LMICs.
This study has been performed to analyze macro and micro-nutrients in different parts such as leaves and stem of Tulsi plant collected from Rajshahi University Campus and one the villages of Natore District, Bangladesh. The heavy metal content in the corresponding soil samples has also been checked in order to clarify the possible accumulation of trace metals to the plant. It was seen from the results that a plenty of the macro-nutrient Ca was present (89.6 to 431.55 ppm) in both leaf and stem of the Tulsi. Similarly, the content of micro-nutrient Fe was also significant (3.34 to 49.53 ppm). Content of the other nutrients such as Zn, Mn, Ni and Cu was found to be within the permissible level suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO) and significant difference observed in the quantity of the trace metal contents from one place to another. Harmful metals content such as Pb, Cd and as was analyzed and was found to be within the permissible limit. Finally, the leaf and stem of the Tulsi is being recommended to be a great source of Ca, Fe deficient patients of the rural as well as the urban people.
Ayurveda is the major systems of indigenous medicines and as all of us know it is a science of life. The ancient sages discovered different kinds of Ayurvedic medicines after continuous study, observations, experiments, reflections, trials and judgments. Ayurveda gives us this knowledge of health. Unlike many diseases, which can be attributed to the life style of modern man, asthma is an ancient illness. Childhood Bronchial Asthma has multifactor causation Geographical location, environmental, racial, as well as factors related to behaviors and lifestyles are associated with the disease. Tamaka Shwasa is a disease described in Ayurvedic texts that shows close resemblance with bronchial asthma on the basis of clinical manifestations. There is no cure for Asthma as per the Conventional Medical Science. Ayurvedic medicines can be a potential and effective alternative for the treatment against the bronchial asthma. Ayurvedic medicines are used for the treatment of diseases globally so that people all over the world can keep faith on it on the basis of scientific evidences. The present study was a review on the management of Tamaka-Shwasa (Childhood bronchial asthma) who were being managed through Ayurvedic approach that includes a combination of Shodhana Chikista, Ayurvedic drugs, lifestyle management and wholesome diet. Ayurvedic drugs include the respiratory tonics and naturally occurring bronchodilator and immune-modulator. Thus, study result concluded that the Shodhana, Shaman, herbal and herbo-minerals compound drug has got significant anti asthmatic properties.
Cancer is considered to be an uncontrolled growth, which is caused by a complex, poorly understood, interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Being chronic in nature it is difficult to cure cancer as the cells proliferate to their maximum till it shows clinical symptoms. Current researches are directed towards discovery of drugs, which specifically interfere with the growth of the cancer cells. Recent pharmacological
researches revolve round the urgency to evolve suitable chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer without having toxic effects on the normal cells. Consequently, a number of anticancer drugs have been evolved in recent past to be employed for cancer chemotherapy. However, chemotherapy exhibits severe toxicity to the normal tissue as well. Hence there is a definite need to find alternate drugs that are active at non-toxic dose. Traditional Indian medicine has many natural (autochthonous) herbal preparations with versatile medicinal properties that deserve detailed research for their drug development. This led to chemical and pharmacological investigations of the plants, and to undertake general biological screening programs of plants not only in India but also all over the world. As the synthetic drugs caused several side effects, the plant-based medicines (autochthonous or indigenous herbal preparations) have become popular throughout the world now a days. The contribution of higher medicinal plants in discovery of new drugs has been enormous in terms of value and activity for treating diseases like cancer, hypertension and several other ailments.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in developed and developing countries. It may be caused due to incorrect diet, genetic predisposition or environmental factors. At least 35% of all cancers worldwide are caused by incorrect diet. The plant kingdom has a great place in the treatment of diseases with no ill effect. Numerous plant products are now used for the remedy of cancer. According to WHO estimates, more than 80% people in developing countries depend on traditional medicine for their primary health needs. Consumption of large amount of vegetables and fruits can prevent the development of cancer. Several natural products are available as chemoprotective agents against various types of cancer. These chemoprotective agents are present in fruits, vegetables, plant extracts, herbs, microbes and marine organisms. A host of natural product constituents could be responsible for the protective effect against cancer. Although the mechanism of the protective effect is unclear, nevertheless, the consumption of natural products lowers the incidence of cancer. A major group of these products are the powerful antioxidants, others are phenolic in nature and the remainder includes reactive groups. This article emphasizes many anticancer natural products obtained from plant, microbe and marine sources, which possess potent anticancer activity.
Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) herb has been known from as early as the Vedic period. Its extract has numerous pharmacological activities like hypoglycaemic, immunomodulatory, antistress, analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcerogenic, antihypertensive, CNS depressant, radioprotective, antitumour and antibacterial. The active constituents of the herb include volatile oil chiefly eugenol and β-caryophyllene, flavonoids and a number of other components present in fixed oil. This article outlines the present knowledge of pharmacological and other studies on this plant. © 2014, National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR). All rights reserved.
Seeds of Ocimum sanctum L. (Labiatae; popularly known as 'Tulsi' in Hindi and 'Holy Basil' in English) contain a pale yellow colored fixed oil. The oil possesses antiinflammatory activity due to dual inhibition of arachidonate metabolism supplemented by antihistaminic activity. The antiinflammatory activity is not dependent on the pituitary adrenal axis. The oil possesses antipyretic activity due to prostaglandin inhibition and peripherally acting analgesic activity. The oil has been found to be effective against formaldehyde or adjuvant induced arthritis and turpentine oil induced joint edema in animals. Lipoxygenase inhibitory, histamine antagonistic and antisecretory activities of the oil contribute towards antiulcer activity. The oil can inhibit enhancement of vascular capillary permeability and leucocyte migration following inflammatory stimulus. The LD50 of the oil is 42.5 ml/kg and long-term use of oil at 3 ml/kg dose does not produce any untoward effects in rats. The oil contains a-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid, which on metabolism produces eicosapentaenoic acid and the same appears to be responsible for the biological activity. The oil has hypotensive, anticoagulant and immunomodulatory activities. Antioxidant property of the oil renders metabolic inhibition, chemoprevention and hypolipidaemic activity. Presence of linolenic acid in the oil imparts antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The oil alone or in combination with cloxacillin, a beta-lactamase resistant penicillin, has been found to be beneficial in bovine mastitis, an inflammatory disorder resulting from staphylococcal infection. Existence of anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antibacterial activities in single entity i.e. fixed oil appears to be unique.
The antiulcerogenic property of Ocimum sanctum Linn (Tulsi) was studied in pyloric ligated and pyloric ligated & aspirin treated rats. The extract of OSL reduced the ulcer index, free & total acidity on acute and chronic administration. Seven days pretreatment with the drug increased the mucous secretion also. It may be concluded that OSL extract has antiulcerogenic property against experimental ulcers, and it is due to its ability to reduce acid secretion and increase mucous secretion.
Anti-oxidant bioassay-directed extraction of the fresh leaves and stems of Ocimum sanctum and purification of the extract yielded the following compounds; cirsilineol [1], cirsimaritin [2], isothymusin [3], isothymonin [4], apigenin [5], rosmarinic acid [6], and appreciable quantities of eugenol. The structures of compounds 1-6 were established using spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1 and 5 were isolated previously from O. sanctum whereas compounds 2 and 3 are here identified for the first time from O. sanctum. Eugenol, a major component of the volatile oil, and compounds 1, 3, 4, and 6 demonstrated good antioxidant activity at 10-microM concentrations. Anti-inflammatory activity or cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity of these compounds were observed. Eugenol demonstrated 97% cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitory activity when assayed at 1000-microM concentrations. Compounds 1, 2, and 4-6 displayed 37, 50, 37, 65, and 58% cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitory activity, respectively, when assayed at 1000-microM concentrations. Eugenol and compounds 1, 2, 5, and 6 demonstrated cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitory activity at slightly higher levels when assayed at 1000-microM concentrations. The activities of compounds 1-6 were comparable to ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin at 10-, 10-, and 1000-microM concentrations, respectively. These results support traditional uses of O. sanctum and identify the compounds responsible.
In several ancient systems of medicine including Ayurveda, Greek, Roman, Siddha and Unani, Ocimum sanctum has vast number of therapeutic applications such as in cardiopathy, haemopathy, leucoderma, asthma, bronchitis, catarrhal fever, otalgia, hepatopathy, vomiting, lumbago, hiccups, ophthalmia, gastropathy, genitourinary disorders, ringworm, verminosis and skin diseases etc. The present review incorporates the description of O. sanctum plant, its chemical constituents, and various pharmacological activities.
The alcoholic leaf extract of Ocimum sanctum (OS, Tulsi) was tested for analgesic activity in mice. In the glacial acetic acid (GAA)-induced writhing test, OS (50, 100 mg/kg, i.p.; and 50, 100, 200 mg/kg, p.o.) reduced the number of writhes. OS (50, 100 mg/kg, i.p.) also increased the tail withdrawal latency in mice. Naloxone (1 mg/kg, i.p.), an opioid antagonist, and DSP-4 (50 mg/kg, i.p.), a central noradrenaline depletor, attenuated the analgesic effect of OS in both the experimental models, whereas, PCPA (300 mg/kg, i.p.), a serotonin synthesis inhibitor, potentiated the action of OS on tail flick response in mice. The results of our study suggest that the analgesic action of OS is exerted both centrally as well as peripherally and involves an interplay between various neurotransmitter systems.