The Chemical Constituents of Ocimum sanctum and Its Pharmacological Applications: A Review

Ocimum sanctum traditionally known as “Holy basil” in India is worshipped in almost every Hindu household. Ocimum sanctum which is also famous as sacred Tulsi is a perennial herb of the family Lamiaceae. There are many types of tulsi but Rama tulsi and Krishna tulsi are the predominant ones. The phytochemical constituents of tulsi like eugenol, carvacrol, neolignans, ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, coumarins, flavonoids, phenolics and phenylpropanoids, terpenoids and steroids are used for various pharmacological purposes. Ocimum sanctum is reported to have been used for many Ayurvedic and Siddha medicine systems in the treatment of colds, coughs, asthma, and bronchitis. Advanced analytical techniques such as High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, Gas Chromatography and Spectrometric studies have proved to identify and quantify these bioactive compounds. This current review discusses the chemical composition and the various pharmacological activities of tulsi such as antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant making it highly relevant in modern medicine. The essential oils contained in Ocimum sanctum find applications in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, and leaves and extracts are studied for their potential for medicinal use. Ocimum Sanctum holds great importance in developing novel therapeutic agents and complementary treatments in contemporary healthcare. Recent studies are exploring its role in drug formulation and nano-medicine.