Ocimum Sanctum Research Articles

Tulsi's Ayurvedic Medical Importance

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) is an omnipresent, multipurpose plant and regarded as holy plant in Hindu religion finds place in front of every Hindu household. This herb is a member of Lamiaceae family, well known for its spiritual, religious and medicinal importance in India. Scientific investigations of traditional belief of medicinal properties of Tulsi have got impetus mostly in the later part of the 20th century. Characteristically, the plant imparts a pungent, bitter, hot, light and dry effect indicating the presence of curative value. It is extensively famous and has been used since centuries in Ayurveda and Greek medicines owing to its beneficially diverse properties. For the treatment of bronchitis, illness, and pyrexia, tulsi leaf extracts are described in Indian medical literature. It is thought to be a widespread plant in India.

Nature's Shield: The Promise of Herbal Hand Sanitizers

With the rise in awareness of hygiene practices, particularly hand hygiene, the demand for effective sanitizers has surged. Herbal hand sanitizers have emerged as a natural alternative to chemical-based products, boasting antimicrobial properties derived from plant extracts. This review explores the efficacy of various herbal extracts, including Azadirachta indica (Neem), Citrus limon (Lemon), and Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), in formulating effective hand sanitizers. We discuss their antibacterial effects, compare them with conventional alcohol-based sanitizers, and evaluate their potential applications beyond hand hygiene. The findings suggest that herbal sanitizers offer a sustainable and safe solution to infection prevention. Keywords: Sanitizers, antimicrobial, Herbal, antibacterial, natural alternatives

Development and Assessment of Herbal Sanitizer Derived from Plant Extract

Introduction: A key component in the prevention, management, and decline of healthcare-acquired illnesses is hand sanitizer. Multi-drug-resistant infections are among the persistent issues related to infections acquired while receiving medical care. Maintaining good hand hygiene can greatly lower the chance of cross-contamination. In recent times, hand sanitization has been increasingly popular as a means of reducing nosocomial infections that a variety of opportunistic bacteria can cause.  Method: Using a methanol solvent and a maceration method, the extract was obtained from the leaves of the neem and tulsi plants. The disc diffusion technique was used to determine and assess the antibacterial activity by measuring the diameter of the zone of inhibition. It was decided to create a herbal hand sanitizer.  Results: According to the study, both Ocimum sanctum and Azadirachta indica include terpenoids, alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, and saponins. All of the studied microorganisms displayed a zone of inhibition in the solvent extract within the 5-23 mm range. It was discovered that the extracts' antibacterial efficacy depended on concentration.  Conclusion: As a platform for further research and the creation of novel therapeutic entities, the study's findings indicate the presence of various phytochemical elements with antibacterial capabilities. We may infer that the stated organisms (S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, & E. coli) are much less susceptible to bacterial growth when exposed to herbal sanitizer. Based on many anti-bacterial tests, it has been shown that the high-concentration formulation (40 mg/ml) is highly efficient in treating bacterial disorders.

Green synthesis of novel Z-scheme SnS2/HAp nanocomposite using Ocimum tenuiflorum leaf extract and investigation of its photocatalytic activity.

The present study focuses on the green synthesis of a novel Z-scheme SnS₂/HAp photocatalyst using Ocimum tenuiflorum (tulsi) leaf extract as a stabilizing agent. This approach not only emphasizes sustainability but also adds value to waste by extracting hydroxyapatite (HAp) from Labeo rohita fish scales, addressing the challenge of their disposal. The synthesized photocatalyst was thoroughly characterized using a range of analytical techniques to evaluate its crystal structure, optical properties, morphology, and elemental composition. The photocatalytic activity of the SnS₂/HAp composite was assessed through the degradation of gentian violet (GV) dye, a representative organic pollutant. Various reaction parameters were optimized to enhance the degradation efficiency, and the photocatalyst's performance was further tested across different water matrices. Under optimal conditions, the SnS₂/HAp photocatalyst achieved a maximum photodegradation efficiency of 97.49% with a rate constant of 0.0494min- 1 for GV dye. Additionally, it exhibited an efficiency greater than 70% against other emerging pollutants via advanced oxidation processes (AOP). The enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed to the formation of a Z-Scheme heterojunction between SnS2 and HAp, which enhanced the charge separation efficiency and delayed the charge recombination. The study also demonstrated the photocatalyst's remarkable reusability, maintaining high performance over five cycles and across various water environments. This highlights its potential as a sustainable solution for the removal of organic pollutants from aqueous streams. Finally, a Z-scheme electron transport mechanism is proposed to explain the photodegradation process of GV dye using the SnS₂/HAp photocatalyst.

A Comparative Study of Fungal Endophytes - Endomycorrhizal Organs in Ocimum Sanctum and Santalum Album

The study of Endophytic fungi in the medicinal plants showed quite a variation. The plant Ocimum sanctum showed six types of fungi Trichoderma viridae, Fusarium solani, Gliocladium roseum, Cladosporium sp., Cladorrhinium sp. and Nigrospora sp. that were isolated from rhizosphere and found to be 42.8 % of the population of total fungi isolated, while only one type of endophyte, Mycelia sterilia was 14.2% of the total population of the isolates. The four fungi Fusarium solani, Gliocladium roseum, Mycelia sterilia and Nigrospora sp. were isolated as endophytes. with 42.8% of the total population of the isolates. In the plant Santalum album five fungi Trichoderma viridae, Stachylidium extorre, Pseudobotrytis sp., Fusarium oxysporum, Mycelia sterilia, were isolated from rhizosphere and found to be 55.55% of the population of total fungi isolated. While four fungi Chalaropsis sp., Phoma glomerata, Collectotrichum sp. and Fusarium solani were isolated as endophytes which accounted for 33.33%. The fungi common both as rhizospheric and endophytic include one isolate Collectotrichum sp. with 11.11% of the total population of the isolates. The presence of vesicles was observed within the cortical cells of both the plants Ocimum sanctum and Santalum album.

Energy and enviro‐economic (3E) assessment of greenhouse solar dryer (GHSD) for drying and quality evaluation of medicinal Ocimum sanctum leaves: A sustainable path for preservation

Energy and enviro‐economic (<scp>3E</scp>) assessment of greenhouse solar dryer (<scp>GHSD</scp>) for drying and quality evaluation of medicinal Ocimum sanctum leaves: A sustainable path for preservation

Chemical Composition, In vitro and In silico Evaluation of Essential Oil from Ocimum tenuiflorum and Coriandrum sativum Linn for Lung Cancer.

Medicinal plants play an essential role in everyday life; plants highly contain therapeutic phytoconstituents commonly used to treat various diseases. This paper discusses the Chemical composition, In vitro antiproliferative activity and In silico study of essential oil extracted from Ocimum tenuiflorum (family Lamiaceae) and Coriandrum sativum (family Apiaceae). In present study GC-MS was used to identify the chemical constituents from O. tenuiflorum and C. sativum. In vitro antiproliferative activity was performed on A549 cancer cell lines. In silico study was performed by Schrodinger's maestro software to identify chemical constituents in both plants as potential EGFR inhibitors for the treatment of lung cancer. The essential oil was extracted by hydro distillation from aerial parts of O. tenuiflorum and C. sativum. The volatile oil sample was analyzed by (GC-MS) Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry. Different chemical constituents were identified based on the retention index and compared with the NIST library. The oil samples from O. tenuiflorum and C. sativum was also evaluated for antiproliferative activity against human lung cancer A549 cell lines. In silico study was performed by Schrodinger maestro software against EGFR (PDB ID 5HG8). O. tenuiflorum essential oil contains Eugenol (42.90%), 2-β-Elemene (25.98%), β- Caryophyllene (19.12%) are the major constituents. On the other side, C. sativum contains nnonadecanol- 1 (16.37%), decanal (12.37%), dodecanal (12.27%), 2-Dodecanal (9.67%), Phytol (8.81%) as the major constituents. Both the oils have shown in vitro antiproliferative activity against human lung cancer cell lines A549 having IC50 values of 38.281 μg/ml (O. tenuiflorum) and 74.536 μg/ml (C. sativum). Molecular interactions of constituents hydro distilled from two oils was analysed by schrodinger maestro software against EGFR (PDB ID 5HG8). The oil sample extracted from O. tenuiflorum showed more antiproliferative activity than C. sativum. In silico study showed that two chemical constituents, namely di-isobutyl phthalate (-7.542 kcal/mol) and dibutyl phthalate (-7.181 kcal/mol) from O. tenuiflorum and one diethyl phthalate (-7.224 kcal/mol) from C. sativum having more docking score than standard Osimertinib which indicates the effectiveness of oils for lung cancer.

Rice starch-agar composite film decorated with green synthesized silver nanoparticles with superior properties

In this study glycerol-plasticized rice starch/agar-based eco-friendly composite film incorporated with Ocimum tenuiflorum and Murraya koenigii mixed leave extract (15 % v/v) and green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of concentration 1 mM were fabricated and evaluated the physical, mechanical, structural, antimicrobial and biodegradable properties. Sustainable packaging ought to lessen its ecological footprint and its effect on the environment. Boiled rice water, typically regarded as waste, is one of the best sources of starch. We used this boiled rice water to prepare the film directly. The aqueous leaf extract was also used for the synthesis of AgNPs via a simple, cost-effective and green approach. TEM analysis revealed an average particle size of 11.46 nm. Integration of the plant extract and AgNPs into the film matrix introduces antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) bacteria along with enhanced mechanical and barrier properties. SEM images displayed uniform and smooth surface of the films. The film containing AgNPs has the highest tensile strength of 11.4 ± 0.91 MPa with 56.8 ± 4.51 % elongation and the lowest water vapor permeability and water solubility (17.32 ± 2.20 %). This reveals that the prepared films can be employed as a promising, environmentally benign food packaging material to prolong the shelf life of the food. However, an increase in the concentration of AgNPs up to 2 mM, does not cause any significant improvements to the film’s overall properties. The fabricated films were utilized for wrapping green grapes, which show a reduction in weight loss and browning indicating the expansion of shelf life up to 12 days.

Ethnomedicinal survey of the Paliyar tribe: a case study of Kadamalaikundu, Theni District

AbstractThe Paliyar tribe of Kadamalaikundu, Theni District of Tamil Nadu, India, has been deeply associated with forestry and ethnomedicinal practices for ages. The study aimed to identify the important medicinal plant species used by this tribe for ethnomedicinal purposes in the local vicinity. Eighty-nine informants were interviewed using the ‘specimen display’ and forest walk method, semi-structured open-ended questionnaires, interviews, and personal observations. The people from the region reported ninety-three plant species having medicinal properties. The Solanaceae family was recorded as the most dominant plant family, reporting seven different species of medicinal plants, followed by six species of the Acanthaceae family. In the study, Coccinia grandis had the highest use value (2.5), followed by Withania somnifera (2). In contrast, Cardiospermum halicacabum, Gossypium hirsutum, and Ocimum tenuiflorum with use value (1) and the ICF (Informant Consensus Factor) of value 1 accounted for 15 diseases out of forty-one categorized ailments. This study confirmed that the Paliyar tribe was dependent on a large number of medicinal plants for their primary healthcare and veterinary well-being, which require immediate conservation owing to their population fragmentation and the reluctance of the younger generation to adopt ethnomedicinal practices as occupation, which could lead to the loss of traditional knowledge as well. The study also documented the various important medicinal plant uses that could pave the way to the new pharmacological dimensions for modern wellness programs.

Bioactive Compounds from Natural Products as RHOA/ROCK and VEGFR1 Inhibitors: An In-silico Approach for Developing Therapeutics for ALI/ARDS

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a dangerous lung condition characterised by non-cardiogenic pulmonary edoema caused by various factors, including inflammation and hypoxia. It is a more severe and evolved form of Acute Lung Injury (ALI) and requires the patient to be on mechanical ventilation for survival. Several medicinal plants, herbs, oils, and natural extracts have been studied for their anti-inflammatory properties and their targeted action on respiratory disorders. The target of the current study is to elaborate on the target-specific action of bioactive compounds from natural products by Molecular Docking and study their drug-likeness along with their other important pharmacokinetic properties. Bioactive compounds (total 71) from Zingiber officinale (ginger), Trifolium pratense (red clover), Curcuma longa (turmeric), Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree), Ocimum tenuiflorum (Tulsi), Chlorophytum borivilianum (Safed Musli), Cinnamomum cassia (cinnamon), Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom), and Glycine max (soybean) were selected to be investigated and were screened against RhoA and VEGFR1. The ADMET properties and drug-likeness of the bioactive compounds were studied using Molinspiration and ADMETlab 2.0. Docking studies revealed that Hecogenin (-8.4 and -10.3 kcal/mol), Neotigogenin (-7.7 and -9.8 kcal/mol), and Neohecogenin (-7.6 and -9.7 kcal/mol) produced the best docking results, showing the lowest binding energies for RhoA and VEGFR1, respectively. These energies were found to be comparable to the standard ligands Fasudil (-7.3 kcal/mol for RhoA) and Pazopanib (-8.0 kcal/mol for VEGFR1) for the selected targets. Moreover, Stigmasterol (-7.6 kcal/mol) and Genistein (-8.4 kcal/mol) showed a good binding affinity with RhoA and VEGFR1, respectively. The ADME properties of these molecules were also studied. Thus, the best-docked ligands mentioned above can be used as potential novel compounds against these two targets to develop therapeutics against ARDS. Further in-vitro and in-vivo experiments are required to cement these claims and prepare next-generation natural therapeutics for ARDS.

Bioefficacy, chromatographic profiling and drug-likeness analysis of flavonoids and terpenoids as potential inhibitors of H1N1 influenza viral proteins

Considering medicinal plants, natural products present in these plants are the best sources of medications for combating viral infection. The possible drug target against viral H1N1 influenza proteins lead to identification of selected secondary metabolites from potential plants Tinospora cordifolia, Ocimum sanctum, and Piper nigrum. On analysis of in vitro cell based antiviral activity of the selected plant extracts, an indication for a possible lead compound against neuraminidase activity was evident. Potent ligands were selected using drug docking and ADMET analysis, and the screened lead metabolites were ultimately identified as terpenoid (Columbin) and, flavonoid (Cubebin, and Apigenin). Among the selected ligands, the drug binding activity of Cubebin with all the 6 proteins of H1N1 influenza type A virus, HA (4r8w), NA (4qn7), M2 (3lbw), PA (4wsb), PB1 (2znl) and PB2 (3wil), was pronounced. In addition, physicochemical and pharmacokinetic parameters linked to absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) have been evaluated and corroborate with our in vitro results. Molecular dynamics modelling indicated Cubebin can be a potential phytochemical in a drug discovery pipeline for the development of neuraminidase inhibitors. Further studies can provide a possibility for an alternative therapy against Influenza viruses.

The The Effect of Immersing Basil Leaves Infusion (Ocimum Sanctum L) on The Surface Roughness of Heat Cured Acrylic Resin Plates

The The Effect of Immersing Basil Leaves Infusion (Ocimum Sanctum L) on The Surface Roughness of Heat Cured Acrylic Resin Plates

Preparation of Oral Rinse using Ethanolic Extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum and Evaluation of its Antimicrobial Activity and Cytotoxicity

Preparation of Oral Rinse using Ethanolic Extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum and Evaluation of its Antimicrobial Activity and Cytotoxicity

Isolation, Characterization and Determination of Structural Composition of Ocimum Tenuiflorum (Krishna Tulsi Plant) by IR, NMR, Mass Spectroscopy.

therapeutic and medicinal uses. This evergreen leaf, which is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent, is well known around the world for its versatility and capacity to treat a wide range of illnesses. Objective: The primary goal of this bioanalytical investigation is to identify and structurally clarify the principal phytoconstituents found in the Ocimum tenuiflorum ethanolic extract. Method: In this phyto-analysis, spectral analysis was used to clarify the structure of the phytoconstituents that were extracted from the Ocimum tenuiflorum plant using column chromatography. Result and Conclusion: Using spectrum analysis (I.R., NMR, and mass spectroscopy), two significant isolates from Ocimum tenuiflorum, Apigenin and Carnosic Acid, were found and their structures clarified.

Antimicrobial Effect of Medicinal Plants Against Streptococcus mutans: A Literature Review

The present study aims to evaluate, through a literature review, the antimicrobial potential of medicinal plants against Streptococcus mutans. Method: A bibliographic search was conducted in the PubMed database using the descriptors "phytotherapy," "medicinal plants," and "Streptococcus mutans," either combined or not, covering the period from 2011 to 2021. The search resulted in 99 articles. In the initial screening, 79 articles were excluded for not being related to the topic. Twenty articles were selected, but only 12 met the eligibility criteria, which included studies evaluating the antimicrobial effect of a single medicinal plant on S. mutans only. Among the results, several plant species with antimicrobial potential against S. mutans were identified, including Annona senegalensis, Melia azedarach, Copaifera langsdorffii, Copaifera officinalis, Zingiber zerumbet, Terminalia chebula, Trachyspermum ammi, Ocimum sanctum, Teucrium polium, Vitis vinifera L., and Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume. In summary, all studies showed antimicrobial effects against S. mutans, with particular emphasis on the studies with copaiba oil, M. azedarach crude extract, and T. polium, which demonstrated superior and comparable results to the effects of chlorhexidine, respectively.

TWO IN ONE GRAM NEGATIVE ANTIBACTERIAL AGENT AND ORGANIC DYE PHOTOCATALYST FROM GREEN OCIMUM SANCTUM-BASED CO-DOPED CARBON DOT SILVER NANOCOMPOSITE.

This study reports, successful synthesis of Oxygen(O) and Nitrogen(N) co-doped Ocimum Sanctum plant-based or tulsi carbon dots-silver nanoparticle nanocomposites (TCD-AgNP) for the development of an efficient, highly active, low-cost fingerprint antibacterial agent against gram-negative organisms and a highly efficient photocatalyst for the degradation of methylene blue (MB). The novelty and advantage of this study is the development of highly stable, blue fluorescent, high quantum yield (40%) environmental -friendly TCD-AgNP nanocomposite through reduction method by using green TCDs. Spectrochemical characteristics of synthesized TCDs and TCD-AgNP nanocomposites were investigated through UV-Vis absorbance, Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Zeta potential measurements confirming excellent fluorescence, unique stability and effective O and N doping. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) images confirms that the synthesized TCDs and TCD-AgNP nanocomposites were spherical in shape with an average size of 6.3 nm and 11.5 nm respectively. The antibacterial studies proved that TCD-AgNP nanocomposites ware highly effective against Gram-negative (Serratia marcescens, E. coli,and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) microbial organisms. Besides, TCD-AgNP nanocomposite was used as a photocatalyst for the degradation of MB (10 ppm) under sunlight irradiation for regular intervals of time at room temperature with a photodegradation efficiency of 95.63%.

Influence of diurnal harvesting times on essential oil yield and chemical composition of lemongrass, palmarosa and tulsi

Essential oil yield and chemical composition of most of the aromatic crops are affected by environmental, agrochemical and genetic factors. One of such factors are Harvesting Time (HT’s), optimizing which may result in higher essential oil production with better quality. The present study was carried out to determine the effect of HT’s on three different aromatic crops [lemongrass, palmarosa and Ocimum sanctum (CIM-Ayu)] at different diurnal times (9.00 A.M 12.00 P.M and 3.00 P.M) in a day and the same was repeated thrice on alternate days from in the same fields. The results indicated that HT at 3.00 PM had higher essential oil content in all the three aromatic crops. But, the influence of HT on the quality of essential oil was specific to the different crops studied in this report. The quality of essential oil obtained from lemongrass harvested at 12.00 PM was found to be better as it showed more percentage of citral whereas the essential oils obtained from palmarosa and O. sanctum harvested at 3.00 PM were better as they showed more percentage of geraniol and eugenol respectively. This research not only refines essential oil production strategies but also underscores the crop-specific impact of harvesting times. The meticulous temporal analysis, coupled with statistical validation, contributes novel insights, providing practical benefits for industries reliant on these aromatic crops.

Exploring Holy Basil's Bioactive Compounds for T2DM Treatment: Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulations with Human Omentin-1.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) presents a substantial health concern on a global scale, driving the search for innovative therapeutic strategies. Phytochemicals from medicinal plants, particularly Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy Basil), have garnered attention for their potential in T2DM management. The increased focus on plant-based treatments stems from their perceived safety profile, lower risk of adverse effects, and the diverse range of bioactive molecules they offer, which can target multiple pathways involved in T2DM. Computational techniques explored the binding interactions between O. tenuiflorum phytochemicals and Human Omentin-1, a potential T2DM target. ADMET evaluation and targeted docking identified lead compounds: Luteolin (-4.84 kcal/mol), Madecassic acid (-4.12 kcal/mol), Ursolic acid (-5.91 kcal/mol), Stenocereol (-5.59 kcal/mol), and Apigenin (-4.64 kcal/mol), to have a better binding affinity to target protein compared to the control drug, Metformin (-2.01 kcal/mol). Subsequent molecular dynamics simulations evaluated the stability of Stenocereol, Luteolin, and Metformin complexes for 200 nanoseconds, analysing RMSD, RMSF, RG, SASA, PCA, FEL, and MM-PBSA parameters. Results indicated Stenocereol's strong binding affinity with Omentin-1, suggesting its potential as a potent therapeutic agent for T2DM management. These findings lay the groundwork for further experimental validation and drug discovery endeavours.

Intercalation of novel Ocimum Sanctum leaves derived carbon dots between g-C3N4/CoFe2O4 Z-scheme heterojunction system for boosting the radicals’ generation in photo-Fenton degradation and synchronized electrochemical sensing of sulfamethoxazole antibiotic

Deeming about incessant consumption and disposal of pharmaceutical antibiotics in natural water bodies, this study demonstrates the synthesis of a novel Tulsi leaves (Ocimum Sanctum) derived carbon dots modified Z-scheme g-C3N4/CoFe2O4 heterojunction system. Characterization techniques namely XRD, FT-IR, XPS, FE-SEM, HR-TEM and EDX supported composite formation. Fabricated catalysts presented excellent photocatalytic performance towards removal of sulfamethoxazole (SMX). UV–vis DRS, PL and EIS findings suggested the augmented visible light absorption capability, suppression of electron-hole pairs recombination and effective separation of charge carriers which were accountable for degradation process. Probable mechanistic pathway for SMX removal was photo-Fenton assisted with Z-scheme separated electron-hole pairs via activation of H2O2, where hydroxyl radicals (•OH) were main reactive species. Additionally, the prepared material was employed as electrochemical sensor for individual as well as simultaneous detection of SMX and trimethoprim with quite impressive detection limits of 0.042 µM and 0.047 µM, respectively.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticle for catalytic applications and priming study by seed germination

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been successfully synthesized using leaf extract of Neem (Azadirachta Indica), Mint (Mentha Piperita), Tulsi (Ocimum Tenuiflorum), Bermuda grass (Cynodon Dactylon) and silver salt. As plant extracts produce best capping material for the stabilization of nanoparticles. AgNPs were characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy in range of 200–800 nm and transmission electron microscopy TEM, XRD and FTIR. The nanoparticles synthesized were mainly in sizes between 25 and 100 nm. They appeared to be spherical, nanotriangles and irregular in shape. Catalytic application was observed for all the aqueous solution of leaves, quantity taken was 1 ml, 2 ml, 3 ml, 4 ml and 5 ml. Furthermore, prepared Ag nanoparticles are also used for seed germination.