Tulasi is a single-herb formulation prepared from the aerial part and leaf extracts of Tulasi (O sanctum). Tulasi has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antiallergic properties and is recommended in the management of recurrent respiratory infections and upper respiratory tract disorders and as supportive therapy in chronic lung diseases. Tulasi is a single-herb formulation prepared from the aerial part and leaf extracts of Tulasi (O sanctum). Tulasi has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antiallergic properties and is recommended in the management of recurrent respiratory infections and upper respiratory tract disorders and as supportive therapy in chronic lung diseases.
Pharmacological Actions
1. Antimicrobial activity
Tulasi exerts antimicrobial action against humans pathogenic bacterial species such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. This property is due to the monoterpene components, which are phenolic in nature and exert membrane-damaging effects on microbial strains by stimulating the leakage of cellular potassium ions. This leakage of potassium ions is lethal to the integrity of the cytoplasmic membrane.
2. Anti-inflammatory activity
Eugenol (1-hydroxy-2-methoxy-4-allylbenzene), an active constituent of Tulasi, has been found to be largely responsible for its anti-inflammatory property. The anti-inflammatory property of O sanctum supports the dual inhibition of arachidonate metabolism as indicated by its activity in certain inflammatory conditions that are insensitive to selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors. Linolenic acid present in O sanctum fixed oil has the capacity to block both the COX and lipoxygenase (LPO) pathways of arachidonate metabolism and could be responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity.
3. Immunomodulatory activity
Tulasi modulates humoral immune responses by acting at various levels of the immune mechanisms such as antibody production, the release of mediators of hypersensitivity reactions, and tissue responses to these mediators on the target organs.
4. Antioxidant activity
The flavonoid constituents of Tulasi possess antioxidant properties. Phenolics are highly effective free radical scavengers and exhibit a strong antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of phenolics is mainly due to their redox properties, which allow them to act as reducing agents.
hydrogen donors, and singlet oxygen quenchers, In addition, they have a metal chelation potential Lipid peroxidation has been postulated to be one of the mechanisms in the destructive process of liver injury. The increase in malondialdehyde level in the liver suggests enhanced lipid peroxidation, leading to tissue damage and failure of antioxidant defense mechanisms to prevent the formation of excessive free radicals. Tulasi showed a significant decrease in the liver LPO level, thereby inhibiting lipid peroxidation. This may be due to the presence of flavonoids and phenolic compounds, which have been recognized as excellent scavengers of superoxide, hydroxyl, and peroxyl radicals.
5. Adaptogenic activity
The adaptogenic property of Tulasi reverses oxidative stress (OS) and restores the normal functioning of tissues. Peroxidative damage produced by OS is indicated by an increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), reduction in glutathione (GSH) concentration in the liver and the kidney, and increase in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in erythrocytes. O sanctum is found to decrease the erythrocyte SOD and CAT activities, increase GSH level, and decrease TBARS, which reveal that the sparing of tissue GSH binds und to oxidative ions and scavenges the reactive oxygen species, thereby sparing the SOD and CAT. Once the LPO level is reduced, TBARS concentration is also reduced. The adaptogenic activity of Tulasi is because of its antioxidant principles, such as methyl eugenol and flavonoids.
6. Antitussive and mucolytic activities
Tulasi is commonly used as a demulcent in the treatment of cough. Tulasi brings about its antitussive effect by a central action probably mediated by both the opioid system and the GABAergic system. Ursolic acid is responsible for its antitussive property. Tulasi aids in the mobilization of mucus in bronchitis and asthma.
Indications
- Upper respiratory tract disorders
- Productive and dry cough
- Recurrent respiratory infections
- As supportive therapy for chronic lung diseases:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - Asthma and bronchitis
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