TITLE THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF TULS I (OCIMUM SANCTUM … · this plant is known as Holy basil in english and tulsi in hindi. Tusi is a bushy plant with a unique fragnance found in

Bagga MB, Jindal S, Chauhan N. Therapeutic effects of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn) in general and oral health. J Periodontal Med Clin Prac 2016;03: 147-152

1 2 3Dr. MunBhawni Bagga , Dr Shaifi Jindal , Dr. Naveena Chauhan

Therapeutic Effects of Tulsi (Ocimum Sanctum Linn) in General and Oral Health

Review Article

Affiliation

1. Dr MunBhawni Bagga - Reader, Department Of Oral Medicine & Radiology MN DAV Dental

college & Hospital Tatul, Solan (H.P.)

Email id : [email protected]

2. Dr Shaifi Jindal Reader, Department Of Periodontics, Swami Devi Dyal Dental college &

Hospital Golpura, Barwala


3. Dr Naveena Chauhan, Lecturer, Department Of Oral Medicine & Radiology, MN DAV Dental

College & Hospital Tatul, Solan (H.P.)

Email id :[email protected]

Corresponding author:

Dr MunBhawni Bagga

Reader, Department Of Oral Medicine & Radiology

MN DAV Dental college & Hospital Tatul, Solan (H.P.)


147

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the paper was to review the diverse

pharmaceutical aspects of Tulsi plant in treatment

of various medical and oral disorders. Many

scientific studies have indicated that Tulsi

(Ocimum sanctum L.) has antistress, antioxidant,

immunomodulating and antinflammatory

properties. Tulsi has an extensive array of

medicinal uses, but its use in allopathic medicine is

still limited because of lack of clinical trials on

humans.Keywords: Ocimum sanctum L. (Tulsi), Immunomodulator

Introduction:

Various plants are used for manufacturing of drugs

which include morphine (papaver somniferum),

ephedrine, aswagandha and atropine. Ocimum

Sanctum is one such medicinal plant. Commonly

this plant is known as Holy basil in english and tulsi

in hindi. Tusi is a bushy plant with a unique

fragnance found in semitropical and tropical [1]regions of world.

The plant is grown all over india for its medicinal

as well as religious purposes in houses, temples

and gardens. Tulsi has been used for thousands of

years for its diverse healing properties and is

regarded as "elixir of life" that promotes [2]longevity.

Morphological types:

Commonly, there are three types of Tulsi, one with

a purple-colored leaf or dark variety, commonly

known as the Shyama or Krishna Tulsi and the

second type with a green-colored leaf or light

variety known as Rama Tulsi or Sri Tulsi. Rama

Tulsi is regularly used for worshiping and is more

Vol-III, Issue - III, Sep-Dec 2016

147


common of the three types. A third type, commonly

known as Vana Tulsi (or forest Tulsi), is O. [1]

gratissimum.

Active components of Tulsi

Eugenol is identified as one of the major active

constituent and is reported to possess myriad

benefits. Tulsi is also reported to possess

caryophyllene, eugenol methyl ester, terpinene-4-

ol, (+)-δ-cadinene, 3-carene, alpha- humulene,

citral, (−)-trans caryophyllene, eugenal, 6-allyl-

3′,8-Dimethoxyflavan 3,4′-diol,6-allyl-3-(4-allyl-

2-methoxyphenoxy)-3′,8-dimethox yflavan-4′-ol,

5-allyl-3-(4-allyl-methoxyphenoxymethyl)-2-(4-

hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-7-methoxy-2,3-

dihydrobenzofuran, 1,2-bis (4-allyl-2-methoxy

phenoxy)- 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-

m e t h o x y p r o p a n e , 1 - ( 4 - h y d r o x y - 3 -

m e t h o x y p h e n y l ) - 1 , 2 , 3 - t r i s ( 4 - a l l y l - 2 -

methoxyphenoxy) propane, 1-allyl-4-(5-ally l-2-

hydroxy-3-ethoxyphenoxy)-3-(4-al lyl-2-

methoxyphenoxy)-5-methoxybenzene, 3 (5 allyl-

2-hydroxy-3-m ethoxyphenyl)-1-(4-hydroxy-3-

methoxyphenoxy)-prop-1-ene, α-pinene, β-

pinene, α-camphor, carvacrol, luteolin, limatrol,

methylchavicol, caryophylline, cirsilineol,

decyladehyde, cirsimaritin, isothymusin,

isothymonin, apigenin, rosmarinic acid and [3]

cervacrol.

Pharmacological uses and health benefits

In the ancient Ayurvedic text, the Charaka

Samhita, Tulsi has been documented to be of

immense use in the treatment of headaches,

rhinitis, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart [2]

diseases, various forms of poisoning and malaria.

Each part of the plant has proven to offer protection

against various diseases; the aqueous and alcoholic

extract f rom the leaves have various

pharmacological activities such as anti

i n f l a m m a t o r y, a n t i p y r e t i c , a n a l g e s i c ,

ant iasthmatic, ant iemetic, ant idiabetic ,

hepatoprotective, hypotensive, hypolipidemic, and

antistress agents. Further, distillation of the leaves

yields oil of the plant which is known to possess

antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti inflammatory

properties and is used extensively in the

pharmaceutical industry mainly for skin cream [3]

preparations.

Medicinal properties of Tulsi


148

1. Antimicrobial activity : Tulsi is known to possess

antimicrobial activity against various bacteria, the

most common being Candida albicans,

Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli by its [4]phytoconstituents isolated from various parts.

2. Immunomodulatory activity : Tulsi strengthens

the immune response by enhancing both cellular

and humoral immunity by boosting the cell

mediated immune responsiveness and gamma [5]amino butyric acid (GABA) pathways. �

3. Anti-inflammatory activity : The fixed oil and

linolenic acid possess significant anti-

inflammatory activity against prostaglandin E2,

leukotriene and arachidonic acid by virtue of their

capacity to block both the lipoxygenase and

cyclooxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid [6]metabolism.

4. Adaptogenic activity / Antistress activity : Tulsi

has antihypoxic effect and it increases the survival

time during anoxic stress.A study done on rabbits

showed that Tulsi has tremendous ability to reduce [7]the oxidative stress produced in the body.

5. Antidiabetic activity :Oral administration of

Ocimum sanctum extract led to a marked lowering

of blood sugar in normal. It has an aldose reductase

activity, which may help in reducing the

complications of diabetes such as cataract, [8]retinopathy, etc

6. Antifungal activity : Tulsi extract has been

effective against filamentous fungi which include

Aspergillus Niger, A. fumigatus, A. Aavus,

Rhizopus stolonifera and penicillium digitatum.

The fungicidal activity is said to be due to the action

of secondary metabolites which are present in tulsi

including alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, tannins

ascorbic acids eugenol and various other [9]metabolites.

7. Anticoagulant activity : Linolenic acid present in

the Ocimum Sanctum fixed oil is metabolised to

eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). EPA through

cyclooxygenase pathway produces PG13 and

Thromboxane A3 (TXA3) inhibiting the [10]production of TXA2.

Role of Tulsi (O. Sanctum) in General medicine

1. Respiratory disorders :

Water boiled with tulsi leaves is taken in case of

sore throat. For immediate relief of influenza the

leaves are taken with cloves with common salt. The

leaves of tulsi are very helpful in curing common

cold and fever. Tulsi leaves along with powdered

cardamom can be used to bring down the fever [11]decoction of leaves is used for common cold.

2. Ocular disorders

The leaf juice of tulsi along with triphala is used to [12]cure, glaucoma, cataract and conjunctivitis.

3. Cardiovascular disorders

Eugenol extracted from tulsi leaves act as a

vasodilator and also reduces the blood cholesterol [13]level.

4. Renal disorders

Tulsi leaves if taken with honey helps in treatment

of renal calculi. Seads of the tulsi plants has been

reported to reduce blood and urinary uric acid [14]levels.

5. Dermatological disorders

Local application of Ocimum sanctum L. (tulsi)

leaves juice is beneficial in treatment of ringworm. [15]Tulsi cream is useful in treatment of leukoderma.

6. Gastrointestinal disorders

Aqueous decocation of Ocimum sanctum L. (tulsi)

leaves is given to patients suffering from gastric

and hepatic disorders. It is helpful as a mild laxative

and has been prove to posses anthelmintic [16]properties.

Oral implications of Tulsi

1. Intra canal irrigant

O. sanctum is an anti bacterial in activity and in



149

concentration of 4%. It can be used safely as a

intracanal irrigant as compare to sodium

hypochlorite. it is bio friendly and no burning [17]

sensations reported to oral tissues.

2. Oral Candidiasis

O. sanctum has been effective against candida

species and filamentous fungi like Aspergilus and

rhizopus. The antifungal activity of Ocimum

sanctum L. is due to the action of secondary

metabolites like alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, [18]

tanins, ascorbic acids and eugenol.

3. Toothache

The leaves of Ocimum.s can act as modern

analgesic as it contains a considerable amount of

eugenol which which acts as cyclooxygense (cox-[19]

2) inhibhitor.

4. Anticariogenic agent

An in vitro study revealed various concentration of

ocimum. S extracts were assess against

streptococcus mutans, the main causative agent of

caries. The 4% concentration of Ocimum sanctum [20]

L. has a maximum anti cariogenic potention.

5. Prevention of oral cancer

Ocimum sanctum L. is an excellent anticancer

agent. Administration of ocimum sanctum has been

shown to decrease the incidence of oral cancer by

decreasing the levels of cytokeratin, CK

(infilteration), vascular endothelial growth factor,

VEGF (angiogenesis), proliferating cell nuclear

antigen (PCNA), glutathione-s-transferase pi (key

proteins involved in proliferation), and

antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 factors. Studies suggest

that the leaf extract of ocimum.s suppresses the

biochemical events associated with chemical [21]

carcinogenesis.(fig-2)

6. Radioprotective activity

Ocimum sanctum L. leaves showed better radio

protective effect as compare to synthetic radio

protectors. The leaf extract lead to higher bone

marrow protection and reduction in the toxicity [22]

WR-2721 ( synthetic radio protector).

7. Apthous stomatitis

Ocimum sanctum L. at a dose of 100 mg/ kg was

found to be effective anti ulcer agent due to it cyto [23]

protective effect.

8. Treatment of oral mucosal lesions.

Ocimum sanctum L. leaves has unique property of

immune modulation therefore it is used in

treatment of various oral lesions like oral lichen

planus, Ocimum sanctum L. Juice is beneficial. In

oral leukoplakia and oral sub mucous fibrosis,

Ocimum sanctum L. acts as a powerful antioxidant

due to Polyphenol rosmarinic acid. In oral

pemphigus it can be used in healing of vesicles and [24]

bullae.

9. Periodontal diseases

Ocimum sanctum L. leaves dried in sun and

powdered can be used for brushing teeth this can

also be used for massaging the gingival to treat [25]

various gingival and periodontal diseases.

Conclusion

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum L.) is regarded as “Queen

of herbs” because of its various medicinal

properties. Various pharmacological studies, have

established a scientific basis for therapeutic uses of

this plant. Therefore, we recommend further

studies should be directed to explore the

therapeutic significance of this miraculous plant in

general and oral health.

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Competing interest / Conflict of interest The author(s) have no competing interests for financial support, publication of this research, patents and royalties through this collaborative research. All authors were equally involved in discussed research work. There is no financial conflict with the subject matter discussed in the manuscript.Source of support: NIL

Copyright © 2014 JPMCP. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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TITLE THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF TULS I (OCIMUM SANCTUM … · this plant is known as Holy basil in english and tulsi in hindi. Tusi is a bushy plant with a unique fragnance found in