Ocimum basilicum (Sweet Basil): An Ethnomedicinal Plant
Keywords:
Ocimum basilicum Linn, anticonvulsant, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antiplatelet properties, and anti-thromboticAbstract
Ocimum basilicum, also known as Sweet Basil, is a widely used herb in Italian and Southeast Asian gastronomy, particularly in Thailand and Vietnam. Basil is said to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties in Ayurvedic medicine. Scientific research has verified the antibacterial activity and anti-inflammatory characteristics of this substance. In the field of Turkish medicine, it has the ability to inhibit the occurrence of diabetes and cardiovascular problems. Basil is employed in Indian Siddha medicine to treat facial acne, migraines, and dermal infections. The essential oil of Ocimum basilicum contains a variety of chemicals, such as eucalyptol, linalool, α-terpineol, eugenol, bergamotene, guaiene, germacrene D, cubenol, and others. The extract from the leaves comprises 32.23 ± 4.453 phenolic components, which make up 97.9% of the oil. The phytochemical screening and elemental analysis indicate the presence of saponins, tannins, and cardiac glycosides. Ocimum basilicum, a plant renowned for its myriad ethnomedicinal uses, has been employed for millennia in the treatment of gastrointestinal and neurological ailments. The essential oil possesses antiviral, larvicidal, antinociceptive, and antibacterial properties. This review examines the distinct pharmacological effects of Ocimum basilicum,encompassing its anticonvulsant, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiplatelet, and antithrombotic capabilities. The article also examines potential basil product makers while cautioning against their negative impacts. A potential future study could entail the development of transgenic basil plants to target certain chemical elements associated with human ailments. The review highlights the significance of safeguarding and utilizing Ocimum basilicum
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