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Introduction

Infectious diseases accounts for high proportion of health problems in the developingcountries including India. Microorganisms have developed resistance to many antibiotics and

as a result, immense clinical problem in the treatment of infectious diseases has been create.The overuse of antibiotics and consequent antibiotic selection pressure is thought to be themost important factor contributing to the appearance of different kinds of resistant microbes .Antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest challenges facing global public health. Theemergence of multidrugresistant isolates in several infections, often referred to as the diseasesof poverty, has had its greatest toll in developing countries. Antibiotic resistance can occur via three general mechanisms: prevention of interaction of the drug with target; efflux of theantibiotic from the cell; and direct destruction or modification of the compound. Theincreasing prevalence of multidrug resistance in pathogenic microorganisms, forced theresearchers to search for new antimicrobial substance from various sources includingmedicinal plants (Bauer et al., 1996).

Plants are the primary source of medicines. Medicinal plants are considered to be very rich sources of secondary metabolites and oils which are of therapeutics importance. The important advantages of medicinal plants in various treatmentsare: their safety besides being less expensive, efficacy and availability through out theworld (Ahmed M et al., 2002) . Use of plants as a source of medicinal value is a very oldconcept. Chinese were the first to used plants as therapeutics before 4000- 5000 B.C. In Indiause of plants as a medicine appeared in Rigveda which has been written 3500 - 1600 B.C.Properties of plants as a source of medicine were studied in detailed in Ayurveda which isconsidered the foundation of all the medical sciences (Amrani S et al.,2006) .

Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a systemof traditional medicine native to India and practiced in other parts of the world as a formof alternative medicine (Chopra 2003 ). Ayurveda is a holistic system of healing. Thetreatment is based on the inherent ability of the human body to rejuvenate, to heal and torestore its natural balance. The treatment is done using only natural plants, herbs, fruits andvegetables. Ayurvedic treatment goals include eliminating impurities, reducing symptoms,increasing resistance to disease, and reducing worry and increasing harmony in the patient's

life. Popular Ayurvedic Herbs include -Ashwagandha, Boswellia, Coleus Forskohlii, Ginger,Gotu Kola, Guggul, Gymnema Sylvestre, Licorice, Myrrh, Phyllanthus Niruri and Turmericare known to have medicinal properties. According to Ayurvedic tradition, Basil (ocimumbasilicum) is a stimulating diaphoretic and carminative. The leaves are especially fragrantand aromatic, possessing antihelminitc properties. The juice of the leaves is dropped into theear to treat earache and dullness of hearing. Additionally, Tulsi is a febrifuge and a nervineantispasmodic, and is a significantly strong antiseptic and antibacterial. It is used internallyfor many conditions, such as asthma, cough, colds, sinus congestion, and headaches. In nasalmyosis is acts as a parasiticide. Other cases in which Basil is used are rheumatism, arthritis,and abdominal distension. Recent research indicates Basil helps control blood sugar levels indiabetics.

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Essential oil present in Ocimum basilicum species is responsible for its antifungal,antibacterial and antiviral properties. Microorganisms develop resistance against variousantibiotics and due to this an immense clinical problem develops in treatment of infectiousdiseases. Medicinal plants can be used to overcome this problem. Tulsi leaves have been

reported to show strong antifungal activities against the Aspergillus species (Joglekar GV.,1956) . In vitro antifungal activity was also observed against Candida species.Ocimum shows strong antibacterial activity against Klebisella (causes pneumonia and

urinary tract infections), E. coli, Proteus & Staphylococcus aureus . Essential oilfrom Ocimum sp which contain eugenol, carvacrol, methyl eugenol, caryophyllene areconsidered mainly to be responsible for various antimicrobial properties.

Scientific classification :

The other common names for the herb basil are Arjaka, Common Basil, French Basil,Garden Basil, Luole, Royal Herb, St. Josephwort, Sweet Basil and Tulsi.

Basil is widely cultivated andextensively used for food, perfumery, cosmetics, pesticides, medicine, and traditional rituals

because of their natural aroma and flavor and other properties (Alburquerque, 1996; Darrah,1974). Basil originates from tropical Asia and the Pacific Islands, but is now cultivatedthroughout Europe and the USA. The plant is an annual hairy herb growing up to 1 meter (3feet). The flowers range from white to pink, depending on the species and attract swarms of

bees in summer time. Basilicum comes from the Greek word 'Basilicos' meaning 'king' or 'royal'. The essential oils of basil extracted via steam distillation from the leaves and

flavoring tops are used to flavor foods, dental and oral products, in fragrances, and intraditional rituals and medicines . Extracted essential oils have also been shown to contain biologically-active constituents that are insecticidal , nematicidal , fungistatic or whichhave antimicrobial properties (Ntezurubanza et al. 1984) . These properties can frequently

be attributed to predominant essential oil constituents, such as methyl chavicol, eugenollinalool, camphor, and methyl cinnamate. Two minor components of the essential oil of sweet basil, juvocimene I and II, have been reported as potent juvenile hormoneanalogs. The genus Ocimum undergoes abundant cross-pollination resulting in largenumbers of subspecies and varieties, which differ in essential oil composition andmorphological characteristics. Therefore, the taxonomy of the group is difficult. Basil oilsfrom different geographical origins have been classified (Lachowicz,1996). According to

the chemical composition and geographical origin classified them into three large groups:European type, Exotic or Reunion type and African type. On the basis of more than 200

Kingdom Plantae(unranked) Angiosperms(unranked) EudicotsOrder LamialesFamily LamiaceaeGenus OcimumSpecies O. basilicumBinomial name Ocimum basilicum

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analyses of oils extracted from O. basilicum , Lawrence established four essential oilchemotypes (methyl chavicol, linalool, methyl eugenol and methyl cinnamate) and alsonumerous subtypes. According to the biosynthetic origins of major compounds, heclassified them as chemotypes with single or dual biosynthetic pathways. Other chemotypessuch as eugenol-rich and thymol-rich in O. gratissimum, sesquiterpenes-rich in O.

canum and O. sanctum, and terpinen-4-ol-rich, have been reported( j.Braz.,2003)

Chemical components:

There are 26 major components of basil essential oils –

The most abundant components observed are: methyl cinnamate (present in all the varieties,9-80%); methyl chavicol (present in all the varieties, 0.4-12%); methyl eugenol (ranging from0.3-26%); linalool ( ranging from 3-33% ); 1,8-cineol (ranging from 2-15%); terpinen-4-ol(3-6%); (E)-caryophyllene (ranging from 0.3-43% ); and t-cadinol ( 0.7-8.3%). Moreover,

components such as limonene, g-cadinene and caryophyllene oxide occur in a high percentage in some varieties (from 2.5-13.9%).

Traditional Uses of basil :

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The leaf infusion or fresh leaf juice is commonly used in cough, mild upper respiratoryinfections, bronchospasm, stress-related skin disorders and indigestion. It is combined withginger and maricha (black pepper) in bronchial asthma. It is given with honey in bronchitisand cough. The leaf juice is taken internally and also applied directly on cutaneous lesions in

ringworm. The essential oil has been used in ear infections. The seeds are considered ageneral nutritious tonic.

Health Benefits :

Research studies on basil have shown unique health-protecting effects in two basic areas: basil's flavonoids and volatile oils.

DNA Protection Plus Anti-Bacterial Properties

The unique array of active constituents called flavonoids found in basil provide protection atthe cellular level. Orientin and vicenin are two water-soluble flavonoids that have been of

particular interest in basil, and in studies on human white blood cells; these components of basil protect cell structures as well as chromosomes from radiation and oxygen-baseddamage. In addition, basil has been shown to provide protection against unwanted bacterialgrowth. These "anti-bacterial" properties of basil are not associated with its uniqueflavonoids, but instead with its volatile oils, whichcontain estragole , linalool , cineole , eugenol , sabinene ,myrcene , and limonene . Lab studiesshow the effectiveness of basil in restricting growth of numerous bacteria,including : Listeria monocytogenes , Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichiacoli O:157:H7, Yersinia enterocolitica , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa .

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

The eugenol component of basil's volatile oils has been the subject of extensive study, sincethis substance can block the activity of an enzyme in the body called cyclooxygenase (COX).Many non-steriodal over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS), includingaspirin and ibuprofen, as well as the commonly used medicine acetaminophen, work byinhibiting this same enzyme. This enzyme-inhibiting effect of the eugenol in basil qualifies

basil as an "anti-inflammatory" food that can provide important healing benefits along withsymptomatic relief for individuals with inflammatory health problems like rheumatoidarthritis or inflammatory bowel conditions.

Nutrients Essential for Cardiovascular Health

Basil is a very good source of vitamin A (through its concentration of carotenoids such as beta-carotene). Called "pro-vitamin A," since it can be converted into vitamin A, beta-carotene is a more powerful anti-oxidant than vitamin A and not only protects epithelial cells (the cells that form the lining of numerous body structures including the blood vessels)from free radical damage, but also helps prevent free radicals from oxidizing cholesterol inthe blood stream. Only after it has been oxidized does cholesterol build up in blood vesselwalls, initiating the development of atherosclerosis, whose end result can be a heart attack or stroke. Free radical damage is a contributing factor in many other conditions as well,including asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The beta-carotene found in basilmay help to lessen the progression of these conditions while protecting cells from further

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damage. Basil is also a good source of magnesium , which promotes cardiovascular health by prompting muscles and blood vessels to relax, thus improving blood flow and lessening therisk of irregular heart rhythms or a spasming of the heart muscle or a blood vessel.

In addition to the health benefits and nutrients described above, basil also emerged from our

food ranking system as a very good source of iron, and calcium, and a good source of potassium and vitamin C.

As an anticancer agent

Cancer has been a leading cause of death in the developing countries. With changing standardof living and food habits and also due to availability of curative treatment for many infectiousdiseases, cancer is surpassing other ailments as a principle cause of morbidity and mortalityeven in developing countries. Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy- the establishedtreatment modalities for various cancers are costly, mutilating, having serious side effects andassociated with residual morbidity as well as frequent relapses. In ayurveda, various plants

are used as a potential source of anticancer and antitumor properties. It has been found that ethanolic extract of O. Basilicum mediated a significant reduction intumor cell size and an increase in lifespan of mice having Sarcoma-180 solid tumors . Similar results were also obtained by others where anticancer activity of O. Basilicum in Lewis lungcarcinoma animal model has been reported . Urosolic acid and oleanlic acid possessanticancer property. Ocimum has the ability to protect the DNA of the body from dangerousradiations .

As an antifertility agent

One of the major constituents of the Tulsi leaves is ursolic acid and it has been reported that it possess anti-fertility effect. This effect has been attributed to its anti-estrogenic activity whichmay be responsible for arrest of spermatogenesis in males and due to inhibitory effect onimplantation of ovum in females. This constituent may prove to be a promising anti-fertilityagent devoid of side effects. In males, Tulsi leaves reduce spermatogenesis by retardingsertoli cells activity . The leaves of O. Basilicum have been shown to possess anti-implantation activity in experimental albino rats. Ursolic acid is responsible for its anti-sterility property . Tulsi leaves have antiandrogenic property as well . Benzene extract of O.

sanctum in albino rats decreases the total sperm count and sperm motility .

Stress relieving agentsStress is a common phenomenon that is experienced by every individual. Stress is defined as“non specific result of any demand upon the body ”. Stress can be either physical or

psychological. When stress becomes extreme, it is harmful for the body and, hence, needs to be treated. Stress is involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases that includes psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety, immunosuppression, endocrinedisorders including diabetes mellitus, male impotence, cognitive dysfunction, peptic ulcer,hypertension and ulcerative colitis. Tulsi is an excellent rejuvenator, which has been knownto help reduce stress, relax the mind and assist the body in improving memory. Tulsi hasantihypoxic effect and it increases the survival time during anoxic stress . A study conductedwith rabbits has suggested that Tulsi decreased oxidative stress .

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Tulsi leaves are regarded as an 'adaptogen' or anti-stress agent. Recent studies have shownthat the leaves afford significant protection against stress . If taken twice a day, Tulsi is a

powerful calming herb. It also counteracts many troublesome effects of chronic stress,including nervousness, sleeplessness, and digestive disorders. Animal research has verifiedthat extracts of Tulsi leaves prevented changes in plasma levels of the stress hormone

corticosterone induced by both acute and chronic noise stress ( Dr. Vinod N Singh .,2010).

Medicinal Applications :

Basil is used to aid relief from colds, influenza, stomach cramps, nausea, migraine, insomnia,low spirits and exhaustion.

Sweet basil are used mainly for the treatment of different disorders of the digestive and thenervous systems,

It is also used for the treatment of colic, and to treat cases of indigestion affecting people.

The remedies derived from the sweet basil are also used to treat intestinal worms in peopleaffected by such parasites.

The mildly sedative action of the sweet basil is used in the treatment of long term nervousirritability, physical tiredness, and symptoms of depression, long term and short term anxietyand to treat insomnia in different individuals.

The herbal remedies made from the sweet basil have also been used in the treatment of disorders such as epilepsy, migraine whooping cough in children.

Basil helps in inducing lactation in nursing mothers.

The sweet basil herb is also used as a topical remedy for external application in the treatmentof various skin disorders, insect bites, acne and ringworm.

It is used as a gargle or mouthwash for thrush; as a bath herb for increased energy; and aseyewash for tired eyes.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

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10. Nadkarni K.M., Indian Materia Medica, In: Nadkarni K.M., editor. 1sted. Mumbai: popular

prakashan, 1976, 861-863.11. Kirtikar K.R., Basu B.D., Indian Medicinal Plants,2nded. Allahabad, India: Lalit Mohan Basu, 1933,

1961-19628. Agrawal S.S., Tamrakar B.P., Clincally usefulherbal drugs, 1sted. Ahuja publishing house: 2005,

233-235.