Potential health benefits of Ocimun sanctum L.: A systematic literature analysis

Ocimum sanctum L. (Os) has been known and used in Ayurveda medicinal treatments for centuries. Os has a wide spectrum of biological activities and is considered a versatile medicinal plant presenting several biological activities [1]. The main goal of this study was to systematically review the scientific literature on the biological activities and chemical composition of Os extracts and similars like seed oil, providing a summary of the potential benefits of use of this species. A systematic review analysis was performed using several databases: ScienceDirect, PubMed, Mednar, and Scielo. The words (O. sanctum) and (extracts) were used as relevant terms for the incoming data. Essential oils and biological activities of pure compounds present in OS (as well as in other plants) were excluded of the incoming data. 115 articles were included in this review: 91% specifying extracts, 4,3% fixed oils, 3,4% seed oil and 0,86% dermal applications. 5,9% of the total information correspond to extraction and chemical characterization of Os compounds. Among the several bioactivities found, most articles (18.5%) deal with Os antioxidant activity, both in non-enzymatic and enzymatic mechanisms; most of the researchers have claimed changes in GHS and SOD levels (both in cellular and in vivo experiments). Several studies concern the potential effect of Os on human health and relate it with the capability of maintaining ROS homeostasis and resistance to different stress factors (9.9% of data). Other relevant studies includes, anticancer (6.6%), radio-protector and inmonumodulator (5,3%), genoprotection (4,6%), neuroprotection (3,9%), and protection against cardio diseases (2,64%). Recent approaches (since 2013) include protection against H1N1 Flu virus. According to data, clinical studies and well-proven effects in humans include positive effects on oral cancer [2]. Other controlled clinical trials should follow [3,4].

Acknowledgements: This work was supported by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), projects PTDC/AGR-ALI/105169/2008 and PEst-OE/AGR/UI4033/2014.

Keywords: Ocimum sanctum, health benefits, systematic review

References:

[1] Shivananjappa M, Joshi M. Aqueous Extract ofTulsi (Ocimum sanctum) Enhances Endogenous Antioxidant Defenses of Human Hepatoma Cell Line (HepG2). Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants 2012; 18: 331 – 348.

[2] Reshma K, Ashalatha V Rao DM, DM V. Effect of Ocimum Flavoinoids as a Radioprotecto on the Erythrocyte Antioxidants in Oral Cancer. Indian Journal of Clinicla Biology 2005; 20: 160 – 164.

[3] Balakumar S, Rajan S, Thirunalasundari T, Jeeva S. Antifungal activity of Ocimum sanctum Linn. (Lamiaceae) on clinically isolated dermatophytic fungi. Asian Pac J Trop Med 2011; 4: 654 – 657.

[4] Mondal S, Varma S, Bamola VD, Naik SN, Mirdha BR, Padhi MM, Mehta N, Mahapatra SC. Double-blinded randomized controlled trial for immunomodulatory effects of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) leaf extract on healthy volunteers. J Ethnopharmacol 2011; 136: 452 – 456.