Ocimum sanctum

Ayurveda, one of the world's oldest systems of medicine, is founded on the principle of polyherbalism, which involves the therapeutic combination of multiple medicinal plants to produce synergistic effects greater than those achieved by individual herbs. This concept, described in the Sarangdhar Samhita (1300 A.D.) and supported by modern pharmacological studies, serves as the basis for the present polyherbal formulation. The current review focuses on the formulation and evaluation of a polyherbal syrup containing Rauvolfia serpentina (Sarpagandha) and Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi). Rauvolfia serpentina (Family: Apocynaceae) is widely recognized for its antihypertensive, sedative, tranquilizing, and antipsychotic properties. These therapeutic effects are primarily attributed to indole alkaloids, especially reserpine, which acts through irreversible inhibition of Vesicular Monoamine Transporter-2 (VMAT-2). Ocimum sanctum (Family: Lamiaceae), commonly known as Tulsi and revered as a “Rasayana” herb in Ayurveda, possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and adaptogenic activities due to the presence of bioactive constituents such as eugenol, ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, and flavonoids. The polyherbal syrup was prepared using the maceration method with sucrose, glycerin, sodium benzoate, citric acid, and distilled water as excipients. Syrup was selected as the dosage form because of its ease of administration, improved patient compliance, flexible dosing, rapid absorption, and suitability for individuals of all age groups. The formulated syrup was evaluated for various physicochemical and microbiological parameters, including pH, viscosity, specific gravity, organoleptic characteristics, microbial safety, and stability. The pH of the formulation was found to be 5.5, and all evaluation parameters complied with the standards prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Indian Pharmacopoeia. The findings suggest that the polyherbal syrup exhibits synergistic antihypertensive, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and adaptogenic effects. Therefore, it may serve as a safe, effective, and cost-efficient therapeutic option for the management of hypertension, stress-related disorders, and immune dysfunction. This formulation represents a successful integration of traditional Ayurvedic knowledge with modern pharmaceutical science, highlighting the potential of polyherbal medicines in contemporary healthcare. Keywords: Ayurveda, Polyherbalism, Rauvolfia serpentina, Ocimum sanctum, Reserpine, Eugenol, Polyherbal Formulation, Antihypertensive, Adaptogenic, Synergism, Herbal Syrup

Medicinal plants are major source of bioactive compounds and chemical structures that gives potential beneficial effects. Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) belongs to the Lamiaceae family, cultivated around tropical and semitropical zone of India and other surrounding Asian countries. In the present review on O. sanctum, the traditional uses, chemical constituents and pharmacological activities are explored. Various medicinal and therapeutic characteristics of Tulsi are found in the aerial parts, roots, leaves and seeds which havea broad range of activity on human being. O. sanctumhas multiple medicinal and therapeutic properties such as antibacterial, anticholinesterase, antioxidant, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiaflatoxigenic, anti-inflammatory and antinoceceptive, anticandidal, toxicological, anti-stress and anticonvulsant, anticancer, wound healing activities. Recent research has proven the anticancer and anti-HIV activity of O. sanctum. The chemical compounds of O. sanctum like alkaloids, phenolics, phenyl, coumarins, flavonoids, fatty acids, essential oils, steroidal, and tannin contents play an important role in herbal medicine. This paper examines the various traditional uses, phytochemical constituents and therapeutic potentials of Tulsi plant will be helpful in the treatment of oral diseases and many medicinal disorders and also will be useful in the expansion of new active principles.

  The objective of the study was to investigate the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of aqueous extract of Ocimum sanctum leaf. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated using in vitro Ferric reducing power, Free radical scavenging activity by DPPH  method, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, Nitric oxide radical scavenging activity, Hyaluronidase inhibition assay. The effect was compared with a known antioxidant agent (BHA/Ascorbic acid). It was found that the extract at different concentration exhibited significant dose dependent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect Key words: Ocimum sanctum, Free radical, DPPH, Hyaluronidase inhibition