Ocimum sanctum

Singh S, Majumdar DK, Rehan HMS. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory potential of fixed oil of Ocimum sanctum (Holy basil) and its possible mechanism of action. J Ethnopharmacol 1996 54 19-26. 

Plants constitute more than 60% of homeopathic remedies. Different parts of plants such as roots, barks, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds are used in homeopathic medicine. Roots of annual herbs are taken out when they yield ripe fruits. In case of perennial plants roots should be lifted in the spring in the 2nd or 3rd year. Examples are Ipecacuanna and Bryonia (Cook, 1988). Fully grown and uninfected leaves are collected after sunset before the flowering season. Examples are Rhus toxicodendron and Ocimum sanctum. Flowers are collected when they begin to open. Cina serves as an example. Here the flowering tops of the plant Artemisia sp. are used. Barks are collected from young plants. Cinchona serves as an example. 

Apigenin (=5,7,4 -Trihydroxyflavone) (flavone) Ocimum sanctum (Lamiaceae), fems HIV-1 protease (60 pM) [43- 45]... 

Apium graveolens (Apiaceae), Ocimum sanctum (basil) Lamiaceae, ferns glycosides widespread e.g. Apium graveolens, Petroselinum (Apiaceae), Cosmos bipinnatus, Erigeron annum Dahlia variabilis (Asteraceae), Amorphafruticosa (Fabaceae)... 

Isothymonin (flavone) Ocimum sanctum (basil), 1 hymus vulgaris (Lamiaceae) [leaf, stem] COX-1, COX-2 [AI]... 

Symphytum officinale (Boraginacaeae), Melissa officinalis, Mentha piperita, Ocimum sanctum, Origanum, Prunella, Rosmarinus officinalis, Teucrium scorodonia, Salvia officinale, S. deserta,... 

In 1996, Angers et al. (10) investigated the fatty acid composition of the seed oils of four species of basil, including Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum canum, Ocimum gratissimum, and Ocimum sanctum. Also, four total different varieties of Ocimum basilicum were tested. AU samples were compared with flaxseed oil and had similar fatty acid profiles in regard to a-linolenic, palmitic, and stearic acids. The flaxseed oil had 52% a-linolenic acid, and the basil seed oils had 57.4—62.5% a-linolenic acid (Table 2). The n-6 to n-3 fatty acid ratio of the flaxseed oil was 1 3.2, and... 

Essential oils have also been shown to be useful as anti-inflammatory agents. The anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of Ocimum sanctum fixed oil have been evaluated recently [220]. The results reported are consistent with the folk medicine use of different parts of this plant for the treatment of acute and chronic inflammation. The results of an investigation on the anti-inflammatory activities of flavonoids of Baphia nitida, another plant used in folk medicine, were recently reported [221]. The flavo no id-rich fraction of the leaf, obtained by a chromatographic process, was formulated into an ointment and exhibited significant antiinflammatory activity in several rodent inflammation models. The inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-a) and interleukin-1(3 (IL-1), mediators in many acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, by curcumin (111), a phytochemical isolated from the plant Curcuma longa Linn, was recently reported [222]. This report shows that, in vitro, curcumin (111), at 5 (J.M, inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of TNF-a and IL-1 by a human monocytic macrophage cell line. 

Herbs claimed or shown to have antispasmodic effects, in vitro and/or in vivo, and to be antitussive, include Adhartoda vasica (malibar nut), Petasites hybridus (butterbur). Ephedra sinica (ephedra), Mentha peperita (peppermint), Atropa species (atropine). Curcuma longa (turmeric), Ocimum sanctum (basil), and Piper longum (pepper). 

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) is the most revered of all sacred medicinal plants in India. In traditional medicine, it is cherished for its holistic healing properties to restore healthy living by warding off imbalances in the body and mind. In Indian herbal medicine, it is used as a remedy for bronchitis, gastric disorders, hepatic disorders, and skin diseases. Tulsi is also considered to be a diaphoretic, an antiperiodic, an anthelmintic, a cardiotonic, and an antipyretic as well as a blood purifier and an anti-inflammatory ... 

Ursolic acid, a triterpene constituent of Ocimum sanctum, protected the rat liver microsomes in vitro against free-radical-induced lipid peroxidation. In animal studies, ursolic acid exhibited remarkable inhibitory activity against tumor promotion. Topical cosmetic preparations containing ursolic acid and its isomer oleanolic acid are proprietary products in Japan, and both products are reported to be useful in skin cancer therapy. The foregoing data open a tremendous possibility that Ocimum sanctum or its constituents may hold promise as adjuncts to human radiation therapy. 

When various spices were screened for their ability to potentiate the typical carcinogen-detoxifying enzyme GST in Swiss mice, cumin seeds (Cuminum cyminum Linn.), basil leaves (Ocimum sanctum Linn.), and turmeric increased the enzyme activity by more than 78% in the stomach, liver, and esophagus. GSH levels were also significantly elevated in all three organs by these plant products. These spices also significantly suppressed the chromosome aberrations caused by BaP in mouse bone-marrow cells. In a subsequent study, cumin seeds and basil leaves significantly decreased the incidence of both BaP-induced squamous cell carcinomas in the stomach of Swiss mice and 3 -methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene-induced hepatomas in Wistar rats. ... 

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