Article ID: WMC001046
Ocimum Sanctum (tulsi): Bio-pharmacological
Activities
Author(s):Dr. Vinod Singh, Ms. sarika amdekar, Dr. Omparakash Verma
Corresponding Author:
Dr. Vinod Singh,
Associate Professor and Head, Microbiology, Barlatullah University, Barkatullah University, 462026 - India
Submitting Author:
Dr. Vinod Singh,
Associate Professor and Head, Microbiology, Barlatullah University, Barkatullah University, 462026 - India
Article ID: WMC001046
Article Type: Review articles
Submitted on:22-Oct-2010, 03:13:17 AM GMT
Published on: 22-Oct-2010, 06:13:13 PM GMT
Article URL: http://www.webmedcentral.com//article_view/1046
Subject Categories:PHARMACOLOGY
Keywords: Ocimum sp, Eugenol, Medicinal plant, Immunomodulatory, Anti-cancer, Antimicrobial agent
How to cite the article:Singh V, amdekar s, Verma O. Ocimum Sanctum (tulsi): Bio-pharmacological Activities .
WebmedCentral PHARMACOLOGY 2010;1(10):WMC001046
Source(s) of Funding:
no funding
Competing Interests:
no competing interest
Webmedcentral > Review articles
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Ocimum Sanctum (tulsi): Bio-pharmacological
Activities
Abstract
Abstract
Medicinal plants are used by the practitioners and
pharmacologists to prevent and cure many diseases
for the last several thousand years. Tulsi is known as
“Queen of plants” “The mother medicine of nature”.
Tulsi i.e. Ocimum sanctum is a plant with enormous
properties for curing and preventing diseases. It is
regarded as deity in Indian subcontinent. The genus
Ocimum sanctum Linn. (Labiateae or Lamiaceae)
comprises 30 species which are found in tropical and
subtropical regions. Leaves and flowering tops are
used for extracting essential oil. Oil of O. sanctum has
revealed the presence of five fatty acids (stearic,
palmitic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids). It is a good
source of beta carotene, calcium, vitamin C and it also
contains volatile substances (including estragol,
linalool, eugenol, methyl chavicol and small quantities
of methyl cinnamate, cineole, and other terpenes),
tannins, camphor, flavonoids, triterpene: urolic acid.
Leaves are diaphoretic, anti-periodic; they are also
used in bronchitis, gastric and hepatic disorders.
Decoction of leaves is recommended for cough,
malaise and in colds. It is a good mosquito repellant
as well. Oil extracted from flowers is used in skin
diseases and ring worm infection. Various studies
have been performed with Ocimum sanctum for its
antibacterial, antioxidant, antiulceric, antimalarial,
antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antilipidemic,
anticancer and immunomodulatory properties. Present
review incorporates the description of chemical and
bio-pharmacological properties of Ocimum species
Introduction
Introduction
Webmedcentral > Review articles
Plants are the primary source of medicines. Medicinal
plants are considered to be very rich sources of
secondary metabolites and oils which are of
therapeutics importance. The important advantages of
medicinal plants in various treatments are: their safety
besides being less expensive, efficacy and availability
through out the world [1]. Use of plants as a source of
medicinal value is a very old concept. Chinese were
the first to used plants as therapeutics before 40005000 B.C. In India use of plants as a medicine
appeared in Rigveda which has been written 3500 1600 B.C. Properties of plants as a source of medicine
were studied in detailed in Ayurveda which is
considered the foundation of all the medical sciences
[2].
In India Tulsi is taken as the most sacred plant. The
use of Ocimum sanctum ( Tulsi) as an aromatic plant
has been well documented in Ayuveda. It belongs to
the family Labiateae. It is grown in tropical and sub
tropical including India [3]. It is omni present in all
Indian fields. It is an erect, sweet scented herb. Name
"Tulsi" in Sanskrit means "the incomparable one".
Whole plant is used as a source of remedy [4]. In India
two forms of Tulsi are more common - dark or Shyama
(Krishna) Tulsi and light or Rama Tulsi. The former
possesses greater medicinal value and is commonly
used for worship. Various other species are also
commonly found in India like O. canum, O. basilicum,
O. kilimandscharicum, O. ammericanum, O. camphora
and O. micranthum [5], [6].
This plant has been evaluated pharmacologically for
antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, anti-stress,
anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, anti-asthmatic,
hypoglycemic, hypotensive and analgesic activities.
Tulsi has been found to be utmost effective in various
types of animal models [7].
The leaves contain an essential oil, which contains
eugenol, eugenal, carvacrol, methylchavicol, limatrol
and caryophylline. The seeds contain oil composed of
fatty acids and sitosterol. The roots contain sitosterol
and three triterpenes A, B, and C. The leaves also
contain ursolic acid and n-triacontanol. Eugenol, its
methyl ether, nerol, caryophyllene, terpinen
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4-decylaldehyde, selinene, pinenes, camphene and
a-pinene have been identified in essential oil.
Additionally, it also contains rosmarinic acid, thymol,
linalool and methyl chavicol and citral etc.[8].
Therapeutic uses of Ocimum sanctum
Various medicinal properties have been attributed to
O.sanctum. Whole tulsi plant has been found to
possess several therapeutic properties and it is used
by the medical practioners. Flower, fruit, leaf, stem,
root and for that matter almost every part of the plant
is used as an expectorant, analgesic, anticancer,
anti-asthmatic, anti-emetic, diaphoretic, anti-diabetic,
anti-fertility, hepatoprotective, hypotensive,
hypolipidemic etc.
Tulsi as a prophylactic agent
Decoction of leaves is used against the gastritis and
hepatic disorders [9].The juice of fresh leaves is also
given to patients to treat dysentery. In a study, it has
been found that methanolic extract of Ocimum suave
showed healing effect against chronic gastric ulcers
induced in experimental rats. Ocimum sp. along with
pepper, turmeric and onion is prophylactic against
malaria. Oil is insecticidal and larvicidal. It contains: β
-bisabolene (13-20%), methyl chavicol (3-19%),
1,8-cineole (9-33%), eugenol (4-9%), (E)-α-bisabolene
(4-7%) and α-terpineol (1.7-7%) are the main
constituents of tulsi oil [1]. Often, Tulsi is planted in
Indian gardens as a mosquito repellant. Essential oils
of Tulsi possess 100 % larvicidal property. It has been
found that Tulsi has excellent anti-malarial properties
as well. Eugenol is the main constituent and it is
responsible for its repellant property. Paste prepared
from Tulsi leaves is used against the ringworm
infection. Tulsi removes worms and parasites. Tulsi
extract with honey is recommended so that the
parasites may be excited, thus drawing them out of
their hiding places. Paste of its leaves is applied on
face to clear marks [6]. Urosolic acid present in leaves
returns elasticity and removes wrinkles. Tulsi helps
skin stay healthy and supple. Use of Tulsi in the
treatment of all kinds of cuts, wounds and ulcers is
highly beneficial. The leaf juice of tulsi along with
triphala is used as an eye tonic and is recommended
for glaucoma, cataract, chronic conjunctivitis and other
diseases associated with eyes. Chewing 3-4 of leaves
before a meal helps stimulating the appetite, and a tea
taken after a meal promotes digestion by increasing
the flow of gastric juices, while reducing gas and
bloating. Ocimum sanctum also reduces the chances
of ulcers. It is an active diaphoretic common cold. It
removes excess cough from lungs and nasal
Webmedcentral > Review articles
passages. A decoction of Tulsi leaves is a popular
remedy for common cold in India. It is also given for
fever along with the clove. It also lowers the uric acid
levels and hence is considered as a potential
anti-inflammatory agent. The leaves of basil are
specific for many fevers. During the rainy season,
when malaria and dengue fever are widely prevalent,
tender leaves, boiled with tea, act as preventive
against these diseases. In case of acute fevers, a
decoction of the leaves boiled with powdered
cardamom brings down the temperature, thereby it
has been considered as a potential antipyretic cocktail
as a home remedy. Tulsi is an important constituent of
many cough syrups and expectorants. It helps to
mobilize mucus in bronchitis and asthma. Chewing
tulsi leaves relieves cold and flu. The leaves are nerve
tonic and also sharpen memory. They promote the
removal of the catarrhal matter and phlegm from the
bronchial tube. It is useful in teeth disorders and is
also recommended as a remedy against pyorrhea.
Also, it is used as a remedy for night blindness and
conjunctivitis. Being nerve tonic the leaves are used to
sharpen memory. It is a good source of antioxidants
and offer substantial protection against free radical
induced damage. Oxygen free radicals are natural
physiological products, containing one or more
unpaired electrons [1]. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)
may damage life important membrane lipids, proteins,
DNA and carbohydrates [2]. This damage has been
implicated in the causation of several diseases such
as liver cirrhosis, atherosclerosis, cancer, and
diabetes etc. [3], [4], [6], [7]. It has been well
accepted that dietary antioxidants have great potential
in ameliorating these disease processes [8].
Antioxidants thus play important role in protecting the
human body against damage by reacting oxygen
species [9]. It also decreases the lipid peroxidation
and increases the activity of super-oxide dismutase
[10]. Presence of eugenol attributes to its
anti-oxidative property and is also thought to be
responsible for inhibition of lipid peroxidation [11].
This property helps in maintaining good health and in
preventing the chances occurrence of heart diseases
as well as most of the other biochemical diseases
because oxidative stress is the hallmark of such
diseases [12].
Antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activities
Essential oil present in most of the Ocimum species is
responsible for its antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral
properties. Microorganisms develop resistance against
various antibiotics and due to this an immense clinical
problem develops in treatment of infectious diseases.
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Medicinal plants can be used to overcome this
problem. Tulsi leaves have been reported to show
strong antifungal activities against the Aspergillus
species [13]. In vitro antifungal activity was also
observed against Candida species also when oil from
O. gratissimum L. was used [14]. Ocimum shows
strong antibacterial activity against Klebisella (causes
pneumonia and urinary tract infections), E. coli,
Proteus & Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio cholerae.
Studies have shown O. basilicum act as a strong
antiviral agent against DNA viruses (herpes viruses
(HSV), adenoviruses (ADV) and hepatitis B virus) and
RNA viruses (coxsackievirus B1 (CVB1) and
enterovirus71 (EV71) [7]. O. tenuiflorum also has been
reported to be having antiviral activity against Bovine
herpes virus -1. Essential oil from Ocimum sp which
contain eugenol, carvacrol, methyl eugenol,
caryophyllene are considered mainly to be responsible
for various antimicrobial properties.
Hyperlipidaemia, atherosclerosis and related diseases
are becoming a major health problem now days.
Aqueous extract of O. basilicum reduces the level of
total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol
levels in acute hyperlipidaemia induced by triton
WR-1339 in rats [26]. In a study conducted on rabbits
a diet supplemented with 1-2 % fresh leaves of Tulsi
for 28 days lowered the total lipid [27].
Antidiabetic properties
As an antifertility agent
Leaves of O. sanctum have been shown to possess
hypoglycaemic effects in experimental animals [15],
[16], [17], [18]. Decoction prepared with various parts
of plant lowers the blood sugar level [19]. A study
conducted [20] on rats has suggested that constituent
of O. sanctum leaf extracts have stimulatory effects on
physiological pathways of insulin secretion. Various
studies have been performed on the antiglycemic
properties of Ocimum but its mechanism of action has
not been elucidated as yet [20], [21]. Study [22]
conducted with tulsi plus neem has suggested that this
combination is better for the diabetic patients in
lowering the sugar level.
One of the major constituents of the Tulsi leaves is
ursolic acid and it has been reported that it possess
anti-fertility effect. This effect has been attributed to its
anti-estrogenic activity which may be responsible for
arrest of spermatogenesis in males and due to
inhibitory effect on implantation of ovum in females.
This constituent may prove to be a promising
anti-fertility agent devoid of side effects. In males,
Tulsi leaves reduce spermatogenesis by retarding
sertoli cells activity [28]. The leaves of O. canum have
been shown to possess anti-implantation activity in
experimental albino rats. Ursolic acid is responsible for
its anti-sterility property [1]. Tulsi leaves have
antiandrogenic property [29] as well. Benzene extract
of O. sanctum in albino rats decreases the total sperm
count and sperm motility [29].
As an anticancer agent
Cancer has been a leading cause of death in the
developing countries. With changing standard of living
and food habits and also due to availability of curative
treatment for many infectious diseases, cancer is
surpassing other ailments as a principle cause of
morbidity and mortality even in developing countries.
Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy- the
established treatment modalities for various cancers
are costly, mutilating, having serious side effects and
associated with residual morbidity as well as frequent
relapses. In ayurveda, various plants are used as a
potential source of anticancer and antitumor properties.
It has been found that ethanolic extract of O. sanctum
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mediated a significant reduction in tumor cell size and
an increase in lifespan of mice having Sarcoma-180
solid tumors [23]. Similar results were also obtained
by others where anticancer activity of O. sanctum in
Lewis lung carcinoma animal model has been reported
[24]. Urosolic acid and oleanlic acid possess
anticancer property. Ocimum has the ability to protect
the DNA of the body from dangerous radiations [25].
Antilipidemic efficacy
Stress relieving agents
Stress is a common phenomenon that is experienced
by every individual. Stress is defined as “non specific
result of any demand upon the body”. Stress can be
either physical or psychological. When stress
becomes extreme, it is harmful for the body and,
hence, needs to be treated. Stress is involved in the
pathogenesis of a variety of diseases that includes
psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety,
immunosuppression, endocrine disorders including
diabetes mellitus, male impotence, cognitive
dysfunction, peptic ulcer, hypertension and ulcerative
colitis. Tulsi is an excellent rejuvenator, which has
been known to help reduce stress, relax the mind and
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assist the body in improving memory. Tulsi has
antihypoxic effect and it increases the survival time
during anoxic stress [30]. A study conducted with
rabbits has suggested that Tulsi decreased oxidative
stress [31].
Tulsi leaves are regarded as an 'adaptogen' or
anti-stress agent. Recent studies have shown that the
leaves afford significant protection against stress [32].
If taken twice a day, Tulsi is a powerful calming herb. It
also counteracts many troublesome effects of chronic
stress, including nervousness, sleeplessness, and
digestive disorders. Animal research has verified that
extracts of Tulsi leaves prevented changes in plasma
levels of the stress hormone corticosterone induced by
both acute and chronic noise stress.
As an immunomodulatory agent
Tulsi strengthens the immune response by enhancing
both cellular and humoral immunity. It shows
anti-inflammatory action akin to aspirin but doesn’t
show any side effects. It reduces the pain and
dangerous inflammation that leads to arthritis. Studies
conducted on Freund's adjuvant induced arthritis,
formaldehyde-induced arthritis and also turpentine
oil-induced joint edema in rats have shown that oil of
Tulsi decreased significantly the symptoms of arthritis
and edema [33]. Fixed oil of Ocimum sanctum
(Labiatae) was found to possess significant
anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenan- and
different other mediator-induced paw edema in rats.
Ocimum sanctum may be a useful anti-inflammatory
agent which blocks both
the pathways, i.e. cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase
of arachidonic acid metabolism.
and bio-pharmacological activities. Probably, such
natural components might prove to be potentially
beneficial but comparatively less toxic. Eventually,
plants belonging to Ocimum genus could contribute a
lot towards economy and healthy problem.
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Authors
Sarika amdekar
P.h.D. Scholar,
Barkatullah University
Bhopal(M.P)
Inda
462026.
Omparakash Verma
National JALMA Institute for Leprosy and other
Mycobacterial Diseases
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