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The medicinal plant tulsi (Ocimum sanctum L.) is acknowledged for its invigorating and healing properties that enhance resilience to stress in various human and animal models by modulating antioxidant compounds. While extensive research has documented these effects in humans, the adaptogenic potential of tulsi in stressful in vitro plant systems has not been explored. This study aimed to elucidate the adaptogenic properties of tulsi leaf extract on the in vitro regeneration of tobacco leaf explants through an investigation of the indoleamines at different developmental stages. Shoot regeneration from leaf explants on the medium supplemented with tulsi extract (20%) was compared to the control, and the differences in indoleamine compounds were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography. Treatment of the explants with the extract resulted in an almost two-fold increase in the number of regenerants after four weeks of culture, and 9% of the regenerants resembled somatic embryo-like structures. The occurrence of browning in the extract-treated explants stopped on day 10, shoots began to develop, and a significant concentration of tryptamine and N-acetyl-serotonin accumulated. A comparative analysis of indoleamine compounds in intact and cut tobacco leaves also revealed the pivotal role of melatonin and 2-hydroxymelatonin functioning as antioxidants during stress adaptation. This study demonstrates that tulsi is a potent adaptogen that is capable of modulating plant morphogenesis in vitro, paving the way for further investigations into the role of adaptogens in plant stress biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In most cases, cancer develops due to abnormal cell growth and subsequent tumour formation. Due to significant constraints with current treatments, natural compounds are being explored as potential alternatives. There are now around 30 natural compounds under clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. Tulsi, or Holy Basil, of the genus Ocimum, is one of the most widely available and cost-effective medicinal plants. In India, the tulsi plant has deep religious and medicinal significance. Tulsi essential oil contains a valuable source of bioactive compounds, such as camphor, eucalyptol, eugenol, alpha-bisabolene, beta-bisabolene, and beta-caryophyllene. These compounds are proposed to be responsible for the antimicrobial properties of the leaf extracts. The anticancer effects of tulsi (Ocimum sanctum L.) have earned it the title of "queen of herbs" and "Elixir of Life" in Ayurvedic treatment. Tulsi leaves, which have high concentrations of eugenol, have been shown to have anticancer properties. In a various cancers, eugenol exerts its antitumour effects through a number of different mechanisms. In light of this, the current review focuses on the anticancer benefits of tulsi and its primary phytoconstituent, eugenol, as apotential therapeutic agent against a wide range of cancer types. In recent years, tulsi has gained popularity due to its anticancer properties. In ongoing clinical trials, a number of tulsi plant compounds are being evaluated for their potential anticancer effects. This article discusses anticancer, chemopreventive, and antioxidant effects of tulsi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tulsi (Holy basil, Ocimum tenuiflorum L., Lamiaceae), native to Asia, has become globalised as the cultural, cosmetic, and medicinal uses of the herb have been popularised. DNA barcoding, a molecular technique used to identify species based on short regions of DNA, can discriminate between different species and identify contaminants and adulterants. This study aimed to explore the values associated with Tulsi in the United Kingdom (UK) and authenticate samples using DNA barcoding. A mixed methods approach was used, incorporating social research (i.e., structured interviews) and DNA barcoding of Ocimum samples using the ITS and trnH-psbA barcode regions. Interviews revealed the cultural significance of Tulsi: including origins, knowledge exchange, religious connotations, and medicinal uses. With migration, sharing of plants and seeds has been seen as Tulsi plants are widely grown in South Asian (SA) households across the UK. Vouchered Ocimum specimens (n = 33) were obtained to create reference DNA barcodes which were not available in databases. A potential species substitution of O. gratissimum instead of O. tenuiflorum amongst SA participants was uncovered. Commercial samples (n = 47) were difficult to authenticate, potentially due to DNA degradation during manufacturing processes. This study highlights the cultural significance of Tulsi, despite a potential species substitution, the plant holds a prestigious place amongst SA families in the UK. DNA barcoding was a reliable way to authenticate Ocimum species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocimum sanctum, a well and widely used medicinal plant has been reported to be efficient for many ailments quoted in Ayurvedic literature. It has been reported to treat the various ailments due to viral infections in humans like measles, chickenpox, influenza and Smallpox. Besides, it has also shown its potential to give protection in malignancy related disorders. The present study was carried out to screen its potential against animal viruses infecting the dairy animals. Bovine Herpes Virus-type-1 (BHV-1) and Foot and Mouth disease virus (FMDV) affecting cattles and Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) affecting poultry were screened. Cytopathic inhibition test was used to check the antiviral effect of O. sanctum against BHV-1 and FMDV in MDBK and BHK cell lines, respectively. Chick embryo fibroblasts were cultured to propagate NDV and tested by haemagglutination inhibition test. The maximum non-toxic dose of Ocimum sanctum leaves was determined in MDBK and BHK cell lines as well as in chick fibroblast by MTT assay. Ocimum sanctum nontoxic concentrations, 2.5 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL were found in MDBK cell line, BHK cell line and chick fibroblast culture respectively. Concentrations lower than MNTD were used for studies. 85.3% and 98.4% protection were recorded against BHV-1 and NDV, respectively. However, no significant effect against FMD virus was observed. Thus, it can be effectively utilised in curing these viral diseases in farm animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tulsi (Holy basil, Ocimum tenuiflorum L., Lamiaceae), native to Asia, has become globalised as the cultural, cosmetic, and medicinal uses of the herb have been popularised. DNA barcoding, a molecular technique used to identify species based on short regions of DNA, can discriminate between different species and identify contaminants and adulterants. This study aimed to explore the values associated with Tulsi in the United Kingdom (UK) and authenticate samples using DNA barcoding. A mixed methods approach was used, incorporating social research (i.e., structured interviews) and DNA barcoding of Ocimum samples using the ITS and trnH-psbA barcode regions. Interviews revealed the cultural significance of Tulsi: including origins, knowledge exchange, religious connotations, and medicinal uses. With migration, sharing of plants and seeds has been seen as Tulsi plants are widely grown in South Asian (SA) households across the UK. Vouchered Ocimum specimens (n = 33) were obtained to create reference DNA barcodes which were not available in databases. A potential species substitution of O. gratissimum instead of O. tenuiflorum amongst SA participants was uncovered. Commercial samples (n = 47) were difficult to authenticate, potentially due to DNA degradation during manufacturing processes. This study highlights the cultural significance of Tulsi, despite a potential species substitution, the plant holds a prestigious place amongst SA families in the UK. DNA barcoding was a reliable way to authenticate Ocimum species.

Objective: Nanoharvesting from intact plants, organs, and cultured cells is a method in which nanoparticles are co-incubated with the target tissue, which leads to the internalization of nanoparticles. Internalized nanoparticles are coated in situ with specific metabolites that form a dynamic surface layer called a bio-corona. Our previous study showed that metabolites that form the bio-corona around anatase TiO2 nanoparticles incubated with leaves of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana are enriched for flavonoids and lipids. The present study focused on the identification of metabolites isolated by nanoharvesting from two medicinal plants, Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) and Rubia tinctorum (common madder). Results: To identify metabolites that form the bio-corona, Tulsi leaves and madder roots were incubated with ultra-small anatase TiO2 nanoparticles, the coated nanoparticles were collected, and the adsorbed molecules were released from the nanoparticle surface and analyzed using an untargeted metabolomics approach. Similar to the results in which Arabidopsis tissue was used as a source of metabolites, TiO2 nanoparticle bio-coronas from Tulsi and madder were enriched for flavonoids and lipids, suggesting that nanoharvesting has a wide-range application potential. The third group of metabolites enriched in bio-coronas isolated from both plants were small peptides with C-terminal arginine and lysine residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medicinal plant leaf extracts alter the morphology of the cellular components of blood, especially RBCs. However, information on biochemical changes occurring during these events in vitro is lacking. Here, we studied the effect of medicinal plant [Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Neem), Emblica officinalis Gaertn. (Indian Gooseberry or Amla) and Ocimum tenuiflorum L. (Holi basil or Tulsi)] leaf extracts as against the hypotonic solution by measuring the optical density of blood at various wavelengths at 0 and 30 min. The blood, exposed to hypotonic solution, showed cellular degradation and higher protein metabolism; higher glucose metabolism and oxidative cellular damage as well as higher oxygen absorption as compared to test samples. Among the three leaf extracts studied, the Amla extract treatment had comparatively more protective role for cellular components of the blood as against hypotonic solution. However, Tulsi extract significantly reduced hemolysis, heme catabolism and redox stress in RBCs. Tulsi also increased glucose metabolism indicating its antidiabetic property. To conclude, Amla leaf extract significantly reversed the effects of the hypotonic solution on the cellular components while Tulsi extract exhibited therapeutic role in maintaining homeostasis of cellular components in blood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medicinal plants are widely used by the traditional medical practitioners for curing various conditions in their day-to-day practice. Holy basil or Tulsi is designated as the "Queen of Herbs", "The mother medicine of nature" and "The irreplaceable one". It is a herb with a wide range of medicinal properties. Ocimum tenuiflorum (also known as Ocimum sanctum Linn or Krishna Tulsi) has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda and Siddha practices. Different parts of this plant have been traditionally used in the treatment of several ailments. The antimicrobial activities of the plant against a wide variety of gram-positive and gramnegative bacteria, fungal and viral pathogens indicate that different extracts of this plant possess versatile antiinfective properties. Along with such properties, anti-toxic; antitussive; anti-inflammatory; antimalarial; anti diabetic; immunomodulatory properties, etc have certainly designated the plant as the queen of herbs. Oil of Tulsi is a good source of calcium, vitamin C and volatile substances e.g. eugenol, tannins, flavonoids, ursolic acid, etc. It is used in skin diseases and ringworm infections. Leaves of the plant are also used in bronchitis, gastric and hepatic disorders. A decoction of leaves is recommended for cough, malaise and in colds. It is a good mosquito repellent as well. Recently, the plant was found beneficial in the treatment of cancer. Antiviral activity of the plant has been demonstrated against HSV, HIV, H9N2, NDV, BHV, etc. The present review incorporates a few therapeutic activities and focuses on the antiviral activity of Ocimum tenuiflorum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocimum gratissimum L. is an important medicinal species with several therapeutic applications. It is used in traditional medicine as a single drug and in formulations. We generated the complete chloroplast genome sequence of O. gratissimum by using Illumina paired-end sequencing data. The O. gratissimum chloroplast genome is 152,469 bp in length, containing a large single copy (LSC) region of 83,614 bp and a small single copy region (SSC) of 17,607 bp, separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 25,624 bp. The genome contains 138 unique genes, including 85 protein-coding, 45 tRNA, and eight rRNA genes. Among them, six genes have one intron each, and two genes contain two introns. The overall GC content of the chloroplast genome is 37.8%, while the corresponding values of LSC, SSC, and IR regions are 35.6%, 31.7%, and 43.2%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis with the complete chloroplast genomes of other related species revealed that O. gratissimum is fully resolved in a clade with other Ocimum species classified to the family Lamiaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postpartum reproductive disorders cause heavy economic losses in dairy sector. Uterine infections include endometritis, metritis, mucometra, and pyometra. Postpartum endometritis in dairy cows has been defined as inflammation of endometrium occurring 21 days or more after parturition without systemic signs of illness. The treatment of endometritis with antimicrobials has met with varying degrees of success, inconsistent recovery rate, high cost of treatment, milk disposal, emergence of microbial resistance, and reduced phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes In our country, around 20,000 medicinal plant species have been recorded, but more than 500 traditional communities use about 800 plant species for curing different diseases. Many herbs such as garlic, neem, ashwagandha, and turmeric have been tried for the treatment of endometritis in cows with a good success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investigation was undertaken to study effect of medicinal plant extracts/ bulb extracts viz bael (50 and 70%), tulsi (50 and 100%), Garlic (5 and 10%) on shelf life of guava. The Physiological loss of weight in guava fruits showed an increasing trend in all the treatments. Contrary to this acidity decreased with storage. However, there was an increase in pH with extension of storage period. The total soluble solids of fruits first increased upto a certain period and there after decreased .Bulb extracts of garlic @ 10 per cent were most effective of all the treatments with minimum spoilage percentage followed by garlic extracts @ 5 per cent concentration and tulsi extracts at 100 per cent concentration. In the present study bael extracts (50 and 100 per cent concentrations) were not effective in extending the shelf life guava (Cv Allahabad Safeda).The investigation concludes that the shelf life of guava fruits Cv Allahabad Safeda can be extended from 4 to 7 days by treating the fruits with 10 per cent garlic extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tulsi ( Ocimum sanctum Linn), commonly known as 'holy basil,' has been used for the treatment of a wide range of ailments in many parts of the world. This study focuses on apoptosis-inducing ability of tulsi extract on prostate cancer cells. For this purpose LNCaP prostate cancer cells were treated with different concentrations of 70% ethanolic extract of tulsi (EET) and then the cytotoxicity was determined after 24 and 48 h. After treatment with EET externalization of phosphatidyl serine (PS) from the inner membrane to outer leaflet of the plasma membrane was clearly evidenced by the results obtained from both flow cytometry analysis with Annexin V-FITC and pSIVA-IANBD binding fluorescence microscopy assay. Depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential was also evidenced by the presence of 5,5′,6,6′-tetrachlolo-1,1′,3,3′-tetraethyl benzimedazolyl carbocyanine iodide (JC-1) monomeric form in the EET-treated cells that emitted the green fluorescence when compared with the control cells that emitted the red fluorescence due to aggregation of JC-1. Furthermore, the level of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage and Bcl-2 were determined using western blot analysis. When compared to the control cells the level of cleaved PARP was found to be higher with a concomitant decrease in the Bcl-2 level after 24 h of treatment of cells with EET. In addition, treatment with EET significantly elevated the activities of caspase-9 and caspase-3 in LNCaP cells compared with the control. Also, after 48 h of treatment all doses used in this study showed clear fragments of DNA, which is one of the hallmarks of apoptosis. Taken together, our findings suggest that, EET can effectively induce apoptosis in LNCaP cells via activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 that can eventually lead to DNA fragmentation and cell death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

World health organization (WHO) has advocated the evaluation of therapeutic potential of plants for diseases where we lack safe allopathic drugs. Ocimum sanctum described as sacred and medicinal plant in ancient literature, commonly known as Tulsi is derived from 'Sanskrit', which means "the incomparable one". This plant belongs to the family Lamiaceae which is native throughout the Old World tropics and cultivated for religious and medicinal purposes. Several medicinal properties have been attributed to the plant not only in Ayurveda and Siddha but also in Greek, Roman and Unani. It is widely known across South Asia as a medicinal plant and an herbal tea. The chemical constituents isolated from various parts of the plant include eugenol, cardinene, cubenol, borneol, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, oleic acid, palmitric acid, steric acid, Vallinin, Vicenin, Vitexin, Vllinin acid, Orientin, Circineol, Gallic Acid, vitamin A, vitamin C, phosphrous and iron. Ocimum sanctum has been shown to possess multifarious medicinal properties such analgesic activity, anti-ulcer activity, antiarthritic activity, immunomodulatory activity, antiasthmatic activity, antifertility activity, anticancer activity, anticonvulsant activity, antidiabetic activity, antihyperlipidemic activity, anti-inflammatory activity, antioxidant activity, antistress activity in addition to possessing useful memory enhancer and neuroprotective activity. The present review article provides up-to-date information on the therapeutic potential of tulsi. We have tabulated the chemical constituents of Ocimum sanctum. This review article will help the scientists working in the area of traditional medicines and medicinal food in their research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum L.) is a sacred plant of medicinal and spiritual significance in many cultures. Medicinal properties of Tulsi are ascribed to its phytochemicals with antioxidant capabilities. The current study was undertaken to screen a large seed population of Tulsi to select germplasm lines with high antioxidant potential and to standardize protocols for micropropagation and biomass production to produce a phytochemically consistent crop. A total of 80 germplasm lines were established under in vitro conditions and screened for their antioxidant potential determined with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) bioassay. The micropropagation of a selected line, named Vrinda, was established using nodal cultures grown on Murashige and Skoog medium containing benzylaminopurine (1.1 µM), gibberellic acid (0.3 µM), and activated charcoal (0.6%). The antioxidant phytohormones melatonin and serotonin were quantified in the field and greenhouse grown tissues of Vrinda and melatonin levels were found to be consistent in both conditions with higher serotonin levels under field conditions. This integrated approach combining the in vitro selection and propagation offers potential applications in the development of safe, effective, and novel natural health products of Tulsi, and many other medicinal plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]