Ocimum sanctum

Medicinal plants are major source of bioactive compounds and chemical structures that gives potential beneficial effects. Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) belongs to the Lamiaceae family, cultivated around tropical and semitropical zone of India and other surrounding Asian countries. In the present review on O. sanctum, the traditional uses, chemical constituents and pharmacological activities are explored. Various medicinal and therapeutic characteristics of Tulsi are found in the aerial parts, roots, leaves and seeds which havea broad range of activity on human being. O. sanctumhas multiple medicinal and therapeutic properties such as antibacterial, anticholinesterase, antioxidant, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiaflatoxigenic, anti-inflammatory and antinoceceptive, anticandidal, toxicological, anti-stress and anticonvulsant, anticancer, wound healing activities. Recent research has proven the anticancer and anti-HIV activity of O. sanctum. The chemical compounds of O. sanctum like alkaloids, phenolics, phenyl, coumarins, flavonoids, fatty acids, essential oils, steroidal, and tannin contents play an important role in herbal medicine. This paper examines the various traditional uses, phytochemical constituents and therapeutic potentials of Tulsi plant will be helpful in the treatment of oral diseases and many medicinal disorders and also will be useful in the expansion of new active principles.

  The objective of the study was to investigate the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of aqueous extract of Ocimum sanctum leaf. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated using in vitro Ferric reducing power, Free radical scavenging activity by DPPH  method, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, Nitric oxide radical scavenging activity, Hyaluronidase inhibition assay. The effect was compared with a known antioxidant agent (BHA/Ascorbic acid). It was found that the extract at different concentration exhibited significant dose dependent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect Key words: Ocimum sanctum, Free radical, DPPH, Hyaluronidase inhibition