Holy Basil

Findings:

This comprehensive review highlights the scientifically investigated therapeutic properties of Ocimum sanctum L. (Tulsi), focusing on its antibacterial, anti-diabetic, anti-carcinogenic, radioprotective, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, neuroprotective (including neurogenesis, anti-depressant, anti-stress, anxiolytic, memory-enhancing), antioxidant, anti-toxic, anticoagulant, antifertility, anti-ulcer, anti-tussive, anti-cataract, lipid-lowering, antiviral, and chemoprotective activities. Eugenol is identified as a key active compound. The review suggests Tulsi's potential for developing novel natural remedies for various health conditions, including neurological disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

Participants:

Review summarizing studies involving animal models (rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits), human volunteers (healthy adults, adults experiencing stress), and *in vitro* models (e.g., cell lines, bacteria like Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Caenorhabditis elegans).

Dosage:

Review cites various dosages from different studies: Hydroalcoholic/ethanolic extracts (e.g., 150 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg in rodents); Fixed oil (e.g., 3 mL/kg i.p. in rodents); Whole plant/leaves (e.g., 3 g/100g body weight orally for 6 days in rats); Human studies (e.g., 300 mg ethanolic extract daily for 30 days; 125 mg standardized extract twice daily for 8 weeks); Anti-ulcer dose (100 mg/kg body weight in rats); Anti-cataract dose (1 g/kg in rabbits); Specific compounds (e.g., Eugenol MIC 85-256 mg/L; Ursolic acid EC50 0.4-6.6 mg/L; Apigenin EC50 9.7-12.8 mg/L; Linalool EC50 16.9 mg/L).

Study Quality Assessment:

Comprehensive review citing numerous *in vitro*, *in vivo* (animal models including rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits with induced conditions like diabetes, toxicity, stress, ulcers, cataracts, carcinogenesis), and clinical studies (human trials on cognition, stress, sleep). Mentions specific methods (e.g., biochemical assays for enzymes, lipids, glucose, cortisol; histological examination; behavioral tests like Tail Suspension Test, step-down latency; MIC determination; gene expression analysis; platelet aggregation tests). Notes comparison to standard drugs (aspirin, diazepam, amifostine, ciprofloxacin, penicillin). Acknowledges need for further research and clinical trials. States 'This research received no external funding.' Discloses one author's employment by Moorim P&P Co., Ltd. as a potential conflict of interest.

All Effects:

Findings:

This systematic review of 24 human studies found Tulsi reported favourable clinical outcomes across metabolic, neurocognitive, and immune domains, with minimal or no side effects reported (only one study noted transient mild nausea). Tulsi may assist in normalizing glucose, blood pressure, and lipid profiles, and dealing with psychological and immunological stress. The review suggests Tulsi is a safe herbal intervention potentially useful for lifestyle-related chronic diseases, warranting further rigorous clinical evaluation.

Participants:

Systematic review of 24 human studies involving a total of 1111 participants with ages ranging from 10 to 80 years old. Studied populations included those with metabolic disorders (T2DM, metabolic syndrome, obesity, gouty arthritis), hypertension, viral infections (hepatitis, encephalitis), asthma, psychological stress, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), psychosomatic problems, hypotension, and healthy human participants.

Dosage:

Dosages varied widely across the 24 reviewed studies: 300 mg to 3000 mg/day as tulsi leaf aqueous extract (1–3 times/day); 300 mg–1000 mg/day as tulsi leaf ethanolic extract (once or twice daily); 6 g to 14 g/day as tulsi whole plant aqueous extract; 10 g/day fresh tulsi leaf aqueous extract (once or four doses); 30 drops/day as tincture solution (three equal doses).

Study Quality Assessment:

Systematic review using specified search strategies (PubMed, Google Scholar, etc.) and inclusion/exclusion criteria. Quality assessment of included trials used the Jadad scale. Of 24 included studies: 6 were Randomized Clinical Trial Placebo Controlled (RCT-PC), 7 Randomized Clinical Trials (RCT), 6 Clinical Trials (CT). Quality varied (Jadad scores 0-5), with only 3/24 rated high quality (Jadad 4-5). Limitations noted: potential publication bias (unpublished negative outcomes, difficult-to-access local journals), lack of double-blinding in many studies (18/24), inconsistent reporting of Tulsi cultivar/dosage form/quality control, short study durations (longest 13 weeks). Funding source bias acknowledged for review authors (one author consults for a Tulsi company, stated work was independent).

All Effects:

Findings:

Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) extract altered the lipid profiles in the brain cortex and plasma of mice subjected to photothrombotic ischemic stroke. Treatment with Tulsi extract led to significant changes in major lipid groups (including PE, PC, neutral glycerolipids, PS, P-glycerol), partially normalizing the stroke-induced alterations towards the profile seen in sham animals. Specific lipids like MGDG (36:4) and LPC (16:1, also found in the Tulsi extract itself) were significantly increased in the brains of Tulsi-treated mice, suggesting Tulsi's neuroprotective effect may involve regulation of brain and plasma lipids.

Participants:

Animal model: 24 male mice of the C57Bl/6j strain aged 2–3 months. Randomly divided into four groups: Sham (n=8), PTL only (n=8), PTL plus Tulsi (n=4), PTL plus Ibuprofen (n=4).

Dosage:

Tulsi ethanolic extract: 500 mg/kg body weight daily via oral gavage for seven days post-PTL. Ibuprofen: 100 mg/kg daily via oral gavage for seven days post-PTL.

Study Quality Assessment:

Animal model study (mice). Used specific strain (C57Bl/6j) and age range (2-3 months). Random division into groups mentioned. Sample sizes specified (N=24 total, n=8 or n=4 per group). Specific methods detailed: Photothrombotic Lesion (PTL) model of ischemic stroke, oral administration of treatments, sample collection (brain cortex, plasma), untargeted lipidomic profiling using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS, Q-Exactive Mass Spectrometer), metabolomic analysis of Tulsi extract, specific software for analysis (LipidSearch 4.0, Metaboanalyst 5.0), various statistical analyses (t-test, Mann–Whitney U, ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis, PCA, PLS-DA, heat map, random forest, Venn diagrams, Benjamini-Hochberg correction). Acknowledged as a pilot study needing future larger-scale validation with correlation to functional/inflammatory outcomes.

All Effects:

Findings:

OS (Ocimum sanctum) is discussed for its beneficial effects in improving cognition.

Findings:

This review summarizes evidence suggesting Cardamonin (CD) exhibits neuroprotective effects relevant to Alzheimer's Disease (AD) by modulating oxidative stress (activating Nrf2 pathway), neuroinflammation (inhibiting NF-kB, cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6), and potentially autophagy. CD modifies multiple signaling molecules (transcription factors, cytokines, enzymes, proteins/genes) involved in neurodegeneration. The review concludes CD is a promising compound for potential preventive use in AD.

Study Quality Assessment:

Narrative review methodology described (literature search using PubMed database and specific keywords since 1995). Funding source mentioned (NIH Grants U54 MD007582). Authors declared no conflict of interest.

All Effects:

Findings:

Scientific research indicates Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) addresses physical, chemical, metabolic, and psychological stress through various pharmacological actions. It protects organs/tissues from chemical/physical stressors, normalizes blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid levels, positively affects memory/cognition, and possesses anxiolytic, anti-depressant, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties.

Study Quality Assessment:

Conflict of Interest: The author receives remuneration as a consultant and advisor to Organic India Pvt. Ltd., which is a company that manufactures and distributes tulsi products. This article is the independent work of the author and Organic India did not have input into the article's content or the decision to publish it.

All Effects: