Applied Sciences
| Open Access |
DOI: Bioactive Phytocompounds of Ocimum sanctum and their Multifaceted Pharmacological Properties: A Mini-Review
Saumya Singh , Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh- 226028, Lucknow, India Mala Trivedi , Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh- 226028, Lucknow, India Ramesh Srivastava , Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP)-226015, Lucknow, IndiaAbstract
In traditional healthcare system, medicinal plants are widely used for curing various diseases by utilizing different parts of plants (leaves, steam, flower, roots and seeds). Ocimum sanctum (Holy basil) is recognized as queen of herbs that is bestowed with many therapeutical properties and used for treating several ailments such as cancer, diabetes, anemia, diarrhea and bacterial infections. The present study reviewed the chemical composition of essential oil and solvent-soluble extracts and pharmacological activities of O. sanctum. The bioactive components identified from oil includes camphene, sabinene, thymol, carvacrol, eugenol ocimene, with eugenol being the most active constituents responsible for biological actions. The different extracts of Holy basil contain fatty acids (oleanolic acid, stearic acid, sinapic acid), flavonoids (luteolin, orientin, quercetin), tannins, saponins that are embarked with several therapeutic potential as anti-cancer, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-diabetic agents. The pharmacological properties reported in the present review confirm the curative measures of O. sanctum and the studies supported the use of this plant for human and animal pharmacotherapy. However, despite the widespread pharmacological activities of O. sanctum, experimental human clinical trials are needed for establishing the effective and safe doses for treating various diseases.
Keywords
Ocimum sanctum, Phytochemical constituents, Holy basil, bioactive compounds
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