Ocimum Sanctum

Introduction

This herb has been known from as early as the vedic period. It is grown in flower pots in most Hindu homes. Its leaves are used in the worhip of gods & goddesses & partaken as Prasad.It is native to India. It reached western Europe only in the 16th century. Is has widely grown throughout the world.

Origin
A herbaceous plant throughout India.

Chemical composition / key active constituents
Volatile oil 0.4-0.8% containing chiefly eugenol app. 21% & B-caryophyllene 37% (eugenol content reaches maximum in spring & minimum in autumm). A no. of sesquiterpenes & monoterpenes viz., bornyl acetate, ß -elemene, methyleugenol, neral, ß-pinene, camphene, a-pinene etc. : ursolic acid, campesterol, cholesterol, stigmasterol, ß-sitosterol and methyl esters of common fatty acids.

      

Pharmacology
The drug has numeropus pharmacological activities like hypoglycaemic immunomodulatory, antistress, analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antiulcerogenic, antihypertensive, CNS depressant, radioprotective, antitumor & antibacterial.

References:

1. Ghosal Set al., (1971) Planta Med 24: 434
2. Sachin Saksena and V.K. Dixit. Role of Total Alkaloids of Mucuna pruriens Baker in Spermatogenesis in Albino Rats. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. H.S. Gour Vishwavidyalaya
3. Manyam BV, et al. J of Alternative and Comp Med. 1995;1(3):249-55
4. Amin KMY. Fitoterapia. 1996;67:53-8
5. Ghosal, S, Singh, S & Bhattacharya, S K [1971]'Alkaloids of Mucuna pruriens, Chemistry and Pharmacology' Planta Med. 19: 279.