- medicinal - plants of india Vol.2 indian council of medical research new delhi 1987Medicinal Plants of India : Vol. 2 Shi Oh Panwa Herbals . East Mi ‘awairsag 2 Editors : Dr. G.V. Satyavati Dr. Ashok K. Gupta Smt. Neeraj Tandon (nec Bhatla) ‘Co-editor © Dr, 8.D. Seth, ‘New Delhi ‘Editorial Consultants = Pharmacognosy : Pharmacology : Prof. H.Y. Mohan Ram, New Delhi Prof, B.N. Dhawan, Dr. Rajendra Gupta, New Delhi Lucknow Chemistry : Ayurvedic Description : Prof. S.8. Hands, (Late) Dr. C. Dwarakanath, New Delhi ‘Chandigarh Dr. K.C. Chunekar, Varanasi Documentation Assistance : Km. Anju Saxena Dr, Madhu Sharma34 ‘OCIMUM Linn. (Lamiaceae; Labiatae) (O. AMERICANUM Linn. syn. 0. camum Sims. Ben, — Kala-tulshi Mar. — Nayi tulsi Eng. — Hoary Basil, Rosary Tam. — Nayi tulasi, Ganjamkorai, Hind. — Kala tuhi, Mami Kukke tulasi Kan, — Nayi tulasi, Rama tulasi Tel. — Kukka tulasi, Kuppa tulasi Mal. — Kattu tulasi, Katturama tulasi Distribution : An erect sweet-scented pubescent herb, 30-60 cm. high, growing in abundance near cultivated fields and waste lands throughout India, Parts used: Leaves and whole plant. Properties and uses ascribed in Traditional Medicine : ‘The leaves in the form of a paste are used in parasitical diseases of the skin and also applied to the finger and toe nails during fever when the extremities are cold. The juice of the leaves is given in cold, catarrh and bronchitis in children. ‘The plant is said to have carminative, diaphoretic ‘and stimulant properties. A decoction of the plunt is used for eough and of keaves for dysentery ‘and also 25 a mouth wash for relieving toothache (Wealth of Indi2, 1966; Chopra et al, 1956, 1958). ‘The plant is considered by tribals (Santals) to-be useful in headache, convulsions and cramps, ehelera, rabid dog bite and snake bite (Jain & Tarafder, 1970). 0. BASILICUM Linn. Ben, — Babui tulsi Mal. — Tirunitru, Tirunitris, Eng. — Sweet Basil, Common Ram tulasi Basil Mar, — Sabza, Marva Guj. — Bavchi, Sabza Punj. — Babri, Furrunj-mushk Hind, —-Babui tulsi, Kali tulsi Sans. — Barbaree Kan, & — Kama kasturi ‘Tam. — Tirnutpatchi, Karandai, Kon. ‘Timnirupachai, Karpura tulasi Kash. — Niazbo Tel. — Bhoo tulasi, Kukka tulasi, Rudrajada Distribution : An erect, glabrous small annual herb, indigenous to the lower hills of Punjab and cultivated throughout India. Parts used: Roots, leaves, flowers and seeds.355. [Propesties and uses ascribed in Traditional Medicine : The plant ié considered 10 be stomachic, anthelmintic, antipyretic, diaphoretic, expestorant, ‘carminative, stimtlant and pectoral. An infusion of the plant is used in cephalagia and gouty joints ‘and also used as a gargle for foul breath, Roots are febrifuge and also used in bowel complaints ‘of children. ‘The juice of the leaves is used as a nasal douche and as. a nostrum for earache and also fer singworen. Flowers are carsionit, Soran, sneer ad demelcit. Sens re mocinewmous ‘and used in gonorrhoea, dysentery, chronic diarrhoea, nephritis, eystitis and intemal piles. ents are apbroduiac and aso crete (Chop eof, 1986; Nada, 184, Weakh of Tonia 960). ‘The plant is considered to be useful by tribals (Sumais) in headache, earache, fever, dropsy (and anasarca), hemiplegia, epilepsy, obstetric problems, convulsions and cramps, liver complaints, fibuile delirium, collapse, cholera, bite of rabid dog and snake bite (Jain & Tarafder, 1970), O. SANCTUM Linn. Ben. — Tulsi, Krishna tulasi Mal. — Tulasi, Shiva tulasi, Trittavu Eng. — Holy Basil Mar. — Tulasa Guj. — Talasi, Tulasi Punj. — Tulsi Hind. — Tulsi, Kala tulsi Tam. — Tulasi, Thulasi Kan. — Tulasi, Sree tulasi, Tel. — Tulasi, Krishna tulasi Krishna tulasi Distribution : An crect, hairy annual herb, found throughout India, up to an altitude of 1,800 'm. in the Himalayas, cultivated also in temples and gardens. Parts used = Leaves, seeds and roots. Ayurvedic description : Sanskrit name Tulasee ‘Synonyms robes Apetaroakshasee, Bhootaghnee, Bahumanjaree Properties : Katu, tikta ps : Laghs, vooksha Veerya : ‘Ushna 3 Karu ‘Actions/uses —-Kaphavaataghna, krimighna, daurgandhahara, deepana, tridya, Properties and uses ascribed in Traditional Medicine : Dry leaves are used in ozaena (offensive discharge from the nose) and fungal infoctions in the formof a snuff. The juice of leaves is diaphoretic, antiperiodic and expectorant and used in catarchal ‘bronchitis. Tt alco relieves earache and ix used in akin diseases. Infusion of leaves is used is gastric and bepatic disorders. Juice of the fresh leaves, flower tops and the slender roots are considered to be good antidotes for snake bite and scorpion sting. Sceds are dewiulcent and used356 in genito-urinary system disorders. Decoction of the roots is diaphoretic and given in malarial fever whereas the frech roots, stems and leaves are-applied losally in ease of mosquito bites (Chopra ef al 41956; Nadkarni, 1934; Wealth of India, 1966). Tribals (Sanrafs) use the plant in fever, dropsy ‘and anasarea, hemiplegia, vomiting, constipation, cholera, cough. postnatal complaints, hacmorth- agic septicaemia and dog bite (Jain & Tarafder, 1970). Pharmacognostical studies : Various species of Ocimum were studied in detail by Gupta (1967), who reporied important pharmacognostical features differentiating the leaves of 0. sanctum, 0. americanum, 0. gratissimum Linn. and . kilimandscharicum Guerke. Morphologically, the leaf of O. sanctum is elliptic, oblong, obtuse or acute, sub- serrate or enlire, pubescent and minutely gland dotted. The leaf powder is charac- terized by dull green to brown colour; faintly smelling like cloves and two types of trichomes, covering type up to 12 cells which are simple, uniseriate, unbranched and warty, while the glandular trichomes are sessile or uni-stalked, small, head being pear ‘or globular shaped and 1-8 celled, The sessile glands are more in number. The stomata are present on both the surfaces of leaf epidermal cells; fibres are non-lignified, acutely pointed; vessels having pits of spiral and annular type ars present (Gupta, 1967), The leaves of O. americamim are elliptic, lanceolate, glabrous, acute at both ends, gland dotted, entire or with shallow teeth. ‘The powdered leaf can be differentiated from other Ocimum spp. by green colour and lemon smell; two types of trichomes, one is the covering type which is uniseriate, unbranched, multicellular and warty while the other is the glandular type with or without stalk, 1-2 celled and the head 1-8 celled. The stomata are present on both the surfaces of leaf epidermal cells, which are wavy in outline. The fibres are non-lignified acutely pointed, the walls are pitted; vessels having pits of spiral or annular type are present (Gupta, 1967). The ordinary trichomes are only 2-4 celled, rarely reaching up to 9 cells (Patel e/ al., 1977). ©. americanum bas been studied in detail by Kamnabiran (1977) who has also given quantitative details, ‘The leaves of Q. gratissimum are coarsely crenate, serrate, acute, pubescent and gland dotted on beth sides. The leaf powder is grcea with aromatic smell; covering and glandular trichomes are as in case of O, americanum, 2celled stalk of glandular hair being common; stomata are tare of absent on the upper surface while these are present on the lower surface (Gupta, 1967). Ordinary trichomes are few, while the long ones, up to 6 celled are present on the margins mostly, whereas the short ones which are 2 celled, are mostly om the lamina (Patel et af., 1977). ‘The leaf of O. Kilimandscharicum can be recognized by ovale, acute, serrate or toothed, pubescent and glanddotied structure. The leaf powder is deep green in colour, with characteristic camphor like smell, having branched covering ‘trichomes abundant on the lamina. These are multicellular, uniseriate mostly over 3 cells long,ro; 3sT glandular and 1+ celled; stomata are present on both the surfaces. Fibre-tracheids have simple pits and are non-ignified (Gupta, 1967; Patel et al., 1977). The leaf of O. basificum is characterised by the absence of covering trichomes or if present occurring mostly on the margin, and are mwulticellular, uniseriate and up to 4-celled (Patel e¢ af., 1977). ‘The seeds of O. basilicum, on morphological study, have been found to be the nutlets of the plant. The nutlets show a pericarp which is intimately fused with the testa, enclosing a membranous endosperm and a straight fleshy embryo. Microscopically, the pericarp has an epidermis, followed by pigment cells, Testa has 1-2 layers of ‘compact stone cells and inner parenchyma with porous walls. The endosperm has a single layer of tubular cells filled with aleurone grains and oil globules. The embryo is sclerenchymatous. The seat of mucilage in the nutlets is the single layered epi- ‘carp in which a hemicellulosic material is deposited on the surface that constitutes the secondary wall of these cells. Nutlets are also available from other Ocimum species; those smaller and narrower but in all other respects resembling the nutlets of O. basilicum have been provisionally placed under O. americanwn (Mehra & Atal, 1961). ‘The comparative morphology of the seeds (nutlets) of various Ocimum spp. raised in Nainital Tarai of Uttar Pradesh has been described by Srivastava et al, (1974). Macroscopically, the nutlets of O. basiliewn (identical with Indian Basil) are ovoid to ellipsoid, and punctate. These are dark brown to blackish in colour with a glazy look, wrinkled, giving the appearance of a honeycomb under high magnifica~ tion. The posterior end is slightly papilliform with a whitish scar having a small cavity. The nutlets of another variety of QO. basilicum known as O. basilicum (Niazbo) resemble those of Indian Basil with a slightly smooth surface. The proximal end is protuberant and pronounced. ‘The whitish scar with a cavity at the extreme post- rior end, is slightly bigger. ‘The nutlets are brown to dark brown in colour with a feeble shining. The third variety viz., O. basilicum (French Basil) mutlets are very much similar to both the Basils. These are mostly dark brown with a slightly dull look and lighter than the other two Basils. The colour of the nutlets of O. americanum vary from brown to black with a slightly shining appearance. These areslightly elli- ‘PSoid, the posterior end being slightly drawn out and pronounced. The dorsal surface is convex, pappilose and pronounced. The nutlets of O. kilimandschariewn are mostly ‘ovoid in shape and black in colour. The dorsal surface is convex with the posterior end slightly protuberant. . sanctum nutlets are subglobose in shape, being the smoothest of all the species. The colour varies from pale brown te dark brown with slight blackish markings on the external surface (Srivastava et al., 1974). Microscopically, the nuts of all the species show a highly cutinized layer. The ‘cuticle forms a crust over the entire external surface of the nutlet which is raised into clongated projection. These projections or ridges are variable in all the species. The358 cuticle is a layer of alike cells which are fibrous and lignified. The cells of the lateral face of the nuts are more or less isodiametric in O, basiticwm (all the three types), 0. americanum, O. kilimandscharicum and O. sanctum, whereas the cells at the anterior end are much elongated. The testa is represented by 1-3 layers of degenerated cells in all the species (Srivastava er ai., 1974). Chemical studies : 0. americamam ‘The essential oil obtained from O. americanum at the flowering stage yielded eitral, methyl heptanone and methyl nony! Ketone as the major components (Dwivedi et al. 1963). ‘The gas liquid chromatography of the oil showed the presence of linalool (80-46%) and. caryophyllene (4-16%) as major components. ‘The other 1s were a-pinene, camphene, myrcene, 1:8 cineol, camphor, farnesene, terpineol, methyl chavicol, isoborneo! acetate, geraniol, methyl eugenol, humulene, and y-cadinene (Gulati et al., 1977). The seed mucilage is composed of degalactose, d-glucose, d-mannose, l-arabi- nose, d-xylose, lethamnose, d-galacturonic and d-mannuronic acids and three poly- saccharides (Anjaneyalu & Tharanathan, 1970, 1971). The major acidic polysaccha- ride was found to be highly branched having (1-4) linked xylan backbone (Anja- neyalu & Gowda, 1978, 1980). ‘The chloroform extract of O. americanum (whole plant) yielded B-sitosterol, betulinie acid, ursolic acid and two flavonoids viz., pectolinarigenin-7-methyl ether and nevadensin (Purushothaman & Wasantha, 1978). ‘A new strain of O, americamam (methyl chavicol type) yielded, on steam distil- Jation, an essential oil which in turn, gave a novel neolignan—ocimin, characterised ‘as 1, bis (4’-methoxyphenyl)-(E), (E)-hexa-1, S-diene (Thappa er al., 1979). O. basilician ‘The principal constituents of the oil obtained from the flowers of 0. dasilicwn were methyl cinnamate and linaloo!. Phenols and aldehydes were not found (Khorana & Vangikar, 19508). The oil obtained from the leaves and flowers contained ‘s-pinene, ocimene, limonene, cineole (1 : 8), p-cymene, #-terpinene, methylheptanone, nonylaldehyde, linalool (77:20%), methyl chavicol (3-30%), B-farnesene, borneol, geraniol and methyl cinnamate in varying amounts (Nigam er al., 1970). In another study, gas liquid chromatography of the @. hasilicum oil revealed the presence of linalool (59-29%) and methyl chavico! (32-68%) as major components (Suri, 1979). The seed mucilage comprised d-ghicose, d-galactose, d-mannose, 1-arabinose, @-xylose and I-thamnose along with d-galacturonic and d-mannuronic acids (Tharanathan & Anjaneyalu, 1974), Graded hydrolysis of the mucilage yielded a39 polysaccharide mainly composed of glucose and mannose (Tharanathan & Anjaneyalu, 1975). In preliminary studies on chemical standardisation of seeds of O. basilicum and 0. gratissimum, the parameters included extractive values in different organic solvents, ash values, moisture content and thin layer chromatography studies (Zaidi er al., 1983). 0. gratissinum The oil from ©, gratissinum yielded a new sesquiterpene alcohol, gratissimol (Nigam & Lakshmi Kumari, 1962). The seed mucilage contained pentoses, hexoses, uronic acids and lipids. On complete hydrolysis it yielded d-glucose, d-galactosc, d-mannose, d-xylose and | -arabinose besides d-galactouronie and d-mannuronic acid (Tharanathan & Shamanna, 1975). 0. kilimandscharicum This plant has been considered to give a promising yield of camphor in India (Chowdhri & Haksar, 1961, 1964). The oil revealed the presence of pinene, limo- ‘nene, terpinolene, myrcene, A-phellandrene and linalool. Camphene, p-cymene, bores! and a-selinene were also reported in the oil (Chowdhri & Haksar, 1962; Nigam et al., 1965). 0. sanctum Gas liquid chromatography of the essential oil of O. sanctum revealed the pro= sence of eugenol (70%) as major constituent. Other components identified were nerol, -eugenol methyl ether, caryophyllene, terpinene-4-ol, decylaldehyde, y-selinene, a-pinene, B-pinene, camphor and carvacrol (Lal ef al, 1979). The leaves have also been reported to yield ursolic acid, apigenin, luteolin, apigenin-7-O-glucuronide, luteolin, 7.O-glucuronide, orientin and molludistin (Nair & Gunasegaran, 1982). In another study, the essential oil from different parts of O, sanctum have revealed that the leaf contained the highest percentage of oil followed by inflorescence and stem but the root was devoid of essential oil. The oil yielded eugenol, methyl cugenol, caryophyllene and some identified compounds (Dey & Choudhuri, 1984). 0. sanctum (old) leaves contained 3:15 per cent calcium and 0-34 per cent phosphorus, along with 4-97 per cent insoluble oxalate (Singh et al., 1969). Pharmacological studies : OS americanum ‘The essential oil obtained from O. americanum showed antibacterial activity against Staph. aureus, Strep. pyogenes, Esch. coli and Sal, ryphosa. Antitubercular360 activity against Mycobacterium Hyy Ry strain was also feported (Joshi & Magar, 1952; Sind cf ai, 1952). The essential oil completely inhibited the “Mycobacterium strain Ay Ry at 100 ppm concentration (Ramaswamy & Sirsi, 1967). ‘The essential olf from the leaves exhibited antibacterial activity against Xanth. smalvaceanim, B. myeoties, B, subtilis, B. pumilus, ¥ib, cholerae, Staph. albus, Sal. varadyphi, Ps. mangiferae indicae and Xanth, campestrix (Mente € al, 1978-79), The 50 per cent ethanolic extract of the whole plant had no antibacterial action against B cubis, Staph. aureus, Sal. typhi, Esch. coll and A. tumefaciens (Dhar ef al., 1973). ©. americamen oil showed antifungal activity against Trichophyton mentagro- phytes, T. rubrum, Epidermophyton floecoswm and Candida albicans (Narasimha Rao 7 Gubba Rao, 1972). The off was later reported to exhibit wide Fange of antifungal activity, inhibiting all the 28 fungi tested at different concentra O° It was shown to be highly toxic to 13 fungi (riz, Absidia ramasa, Alternaria aliernata, Chaetomian globosum, Cladosportum cladasportoides, Collecotrichum tinasporae, Curvularia anata, sspecislera state of Cockliobolus carbonum, D. graminea, D- maydis, D. turcica, Talar rom)ces sp., Trichoderma viride and Tritirachium ‘roseum) which included some human pathogens (Bhargava ef al., 1981). Against the storage fungi viz., Aspergilfus flavus Meee ersicolor, che minimum inhibitory concentration of the oil to produce 100 per cent inhibition was found to be 3000 pom. The oll retained its fungitoxicity for $90 days and was found more efficacious than the ‘commercial fungicides (Dubey ft of, 1981; Bhargava et al, 1981). In another study, the essential oil was found to tbe active against E. floccosn, T. mentagrophytes and. Microsporum canis (Singh #t a. 1983). ugenol acctate, geranyl acetate and methyl heptanone, the three components isolated trom the essentia oil of O. amerlanum were evaluated for their antimycotie ‘activity against keratinophilic fungi viz., Verticillium temuipes, Malbranchea pulchella, ae craton terreum and Chrysosporum iropicim. Among the three compounds, trong potent. fungitoxic activity was in eogenol and gerany! =" (ain & Agrawal, 1978), Against dermatophytes also, the three componen’s showed good antifungal aotvty particularly against the test strains of Nawnlzzia fulva, W. gypsea and N incur- veto (lus and minus stzain). The activity of these compounds however, Was some ‘what less potent than that of griseofulvin (Jain et a 1980), ‘Eugenol agetate was also. weve against Auxorthron confagatum, whereas geranyl acelats Wal found to be highly toxic to Trichophyton rubrum, and methyl heptanone against A. conjugate ee) Chrysosponum panacola (Deshmvkh & Agrawal, 1961): Seeds of O. american were found to be markedly effective against the larvae of Cater pipiens fatigans and Ae, aegypti (Sharma & ‘Wattal, 1979). Ethanatie extract (5024) of ©. americanum (whnoln plant) showed: Te tifungal, amtiprotoroal, anthelmintic, antiviral, hypoglycaemic. CVS._ die" activities and effect on isolated guinea pig ileum. The extract showed CNS depressant effect andhypothermia in mice. The LDgp of the extract was > 1000 mg/kg ip. in er al., 1973). The crude leaf sap of O. americamen inhibited 40 per cent int bean common mosaic virus (Tripathi et al., 1981). The 50 per cent ethanolic extract of the aerial part of Q. americanum showed anticoagulant activity against sheep blood, The extract did not show any ‘CVS, CNS, diuretic, antiinflammatory, hypoglycaemic and antipyretic activities. The LD5y of the extract was 1000 mg/kg i.p. in albino rats (Sharma et af, 1978). O. basilicum The essential oil obtained from O. basilicum showed antibacterial activity against B, ryphosa (Khorana & Vangikar, 1950b), B. pumilus, Sh. nigesta, Sar. lutea (Sawhney et al., 1977), P. vulgaris and Ki, pneumoniae (Kaul & Nigam, 1977), 2B. subtilis, B. anthracis, Sal. paratyphi and Xanth, campestris (Lahariya & Rao, 1979). The oil was also reported to be active against B. mycoides, Esch. cali (Sawhney et al., 1977) and Sal. typhi (Lahariya & Rao, 1979). Lahariya and Rao (1979) however, did not find the oil to be active against B. mycoides, whereas Kaul & Nigam (1977), found it to be inactive against Sal. ryphi and Esch. coli. The oil did not show anti- bacterial activity against Ps. aeruginosa (Kaul & Nigam, 1977), Staph. awrews (Khorana & Vangikar, 19506 ; Kaul & Nigam, 1977), Ps. mangiferae indicae, Staph, albus and Vib. cholerae (Lahariya & Rao, 1979). The oil showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans, C. utilis (Kaul & Nigam, 1977), Penicillium notatum, Microsporum gypseum (Sawhney et al., 1977), Malbranchea pulchella, Chrysosporam tropicum, Penicillium liliacimum, Aspergillus fumigatus and also against A. niger (Labariya & Rao, 1979), Trichophyton mentagro~ phytes, Microsporum canis and Epidermophyton floccosum (Singh et al., 1983). However, another study reported the oil to be inactive against Aspergillus niger (Kaul & Nigam, 1977). The extract of the entire plant was fungitoxic against Helminthosporium sativiem, Colletotrichum faleatum and Fusarium oxysporum (Singh & Sharma, 1978). The oil of the plant showed insecticidal and larvicidal activity against houseflies, blue bottle flies and more particularly against mosquitoes (Chopra et al., 1941), The larvicidal activity of O. basilicum oil and its synergistic effect in combination with the commercial insecticide (Finit) against fourth stage larvae of Culex pipiens fatigans was studied. The essential oil (0-2 mi/l) did not produce any larval mortality, whereas with a concentration of 0:12 ml/l, 100 per cent mortality was recorded. The com- bination of essential oil (0-02 ml/1) and Finit (0-016 mi/1) led to 100 per cent larval mortality, indicating the synergistic effect of the oil (Chavan & Nikam, 1982). The seeds of O. basilicum showed a marked killing effect against Culex pipiens fatigans and de. aegypti larvae (Sharma & Wattal, 1979). The petroleum ether extract of ©. basilicum showed significant larvicidal action on the field collected fourth instar Jarvae of Culex quinguefasciatus and was effective at 60 ppm dose level. [t also showed362 * synergistic effect with synthetic chemical insecticides viz. phenthoate and (Kalyanasundaram & Babu, 1982). "Methyl chevicol and methyl cinnamate obtained from the essential al 0. basiticion were found to be mainly responsible for the insecticidal activity of oil against Tribolium castaneum, Sitophilus oryzae, Stagobium paniceum and Broctaw chinensis (Deshpande & Tipnis, 1977). ‘The leaf and the stem of O. basilicum showed juvenomimetic activity Dysdercus spp. (Gopalan & Madhusudan, 1981). ‘The oils of 4 different varieties of O. basilicum viz., O. basilicum var. var. purpurascianum, vat. album and var, thyrsiflorum were tested for their activity, ‘The most effective variety was found to be O. hasilicum var. album, earthworms; 0-1 per cent suspension of the oil from the leaves of this variety & paralysis in 9 minutes, as compared to similar response shown by a 0-1 per cent solution of piperazine citrate in 30 minutes Gain & Jain, 1972). Two fractions: and C, melting at 35°, and boiling at 85° respectively) isolated from the oil potent anti-worm response (Jain & Jain, 1973). ‘A compound preparation with the leaves of O. hasilicum, Leucas aspens seeds of Erythrina indica as ingredients showed curative effect against infection demodectic mange in a preliminary investigation involving three dogs et al, 1975). 0. gratissinum ‘The leaf extract of O. gratissimum showed antibacterial activity against aureus and Esch, coli (Joshi & Magar, 1952). The essential oil obtained from leaves inhibited Esch. coli, Kl. pneumoniae, B. anthracis, B. subtilis, Sal. pullorum, richmondi, Sal. newport, Sal. stanley, Sal. typhimurium, Staph. aureus, P. and Ps. aeruginosa (Grover & Rao, 1977). In other studies the essential of of plant showed antibacterial action against Sh. nigesta, Esch. coli, Sar. lutea, B. B. mycoides (Sawhney et ai., 1977) and against B. pumilus, B. mycoldes, B. Sal. typhi, Sal. paratyphi and Xanth, campestris (Singh & Pathak, 1979). In stediee at CDRI, Lucknow, however, the 50 per cent ethanolic extract of the plant, ae found to be inactive against B. swbiilis, Staph, aureus, Sal. typhi, Esch. colt ama A, tumefaciens (Dhawan et al., 1977). The essential oil of the plant was reported Se inhibit M. tuberculosis Hy, Rv (Ramaswamy & Sirsi, 1967). ‘The oil of the plant showed antifungal activity against Microsporum xypseum’ and Penicillium notatum (Sawhney et al., 1977) as well as against floccosum, M. canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes at a concentration of 1000 pp= (Singh e7 al,, 1983). The 50 per cent ethanolic extract of the whole plant however, was reported to have no activity against Candide albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, — T. mentagrophytes, M. canis and Aspergillus niger (Dhawan et al., 1977).363 In a study on larval survival of Diacrisia obliqua, O. gratissimum leaves did not support the growth and development of the larvae (Deshmukh et al., 1979). Antispasmodic activity in isolated guinea pig ileum, diuretic action in rats and CNS-depressant effects in mice were reported in the ethanol extract (07%) of O. gra- Hissimum. The extract was however, devoid of antifertility, hypoglycaemic, CVS and antiinflammatory activities. The LDso of the extract-in mice was >1000 mg/kg i.p. (Dhawan et al., 1977). O. kitimandseharicwn The essential oil of O. kilimandscharicum exerted good antibacterial activity against B. pumilus, B, mycoides, B. subtilis, Esch. coli, P. vulgaris, Sal. paratyphi, Sar. lutea, Sh. nigesta, Staph. aureus and Strep. pyogenes by filter paper method. Maximum inhibition was observed against P. vulgaris (Suri & Thind, 1978). The oil was reported to be inactive against M. tuberculosis Hy Rv (Ramaswamy}& Sirsi, 1967). ‘The essential oil showed potent antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Epidermophyton rubrum, Geotrichum candidum, Gymnoascus rees, ‘Malbranchea pulchella, Microsporum gypsewn, Nocardia tenuis, Penicillium notatum ‘and Trichophyton rubrum, The oil was most effective against M. gypseum (Suri & Thind, 1979; Thind & Suri, 1979). ‘The oil was ineffective against Helminchosporium oryzae, Absidia ramosa, Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma viride (Singh et af., 1980). The alcoholic extract of the whole plant (excluding roots) exerted antispasmodic activity in isolated guinea pig ileum and CNS-depressant effects in mice and hypo- tensive effect in catsjdogs. The extract had no hypoglycaemic, anticancer or diuretic activities. The LDeo of the extract was found to be 375 mg/kg i.p. in albino mice (Dhar et ai., 1974), O. sanchum Q. sanctum leaves have been reported to show abortifacient and antifertility activity, The aqueous extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg showed antiimplantation and abortifacient action (Vohora ef ai., 1969). The benzene extract of the leaves (100 mg/kg) showed antifertility effect in 80 per cent rats whereas the petroleum ether extract showed the effect in only 60 per cent animals. This extract did not reveal an early abortifacient activity (Batta & Santhakumari, 1971). ‘The leaves fed to albino rats (male and female) in a dose of 1 g daily for 4 weeks had no effect on the mating behaviour of the animals. However, it led to a large number of pseudopregnancies in rats. The occurrence of pseudopregnancies was ‘attributed more to the effect of the extract on the male rats rather than the female ones (Saha & Kasinathan, 1965).364 | Histological and biochemical studies on mice fed with leaves showed evidence of mild impairment of spermatogenesis with significant reduction of seminal pH. There was also a decrease in the reducing substance, acid and alkaline phosphatases and mucoproteins, Treated male mice failed to fertilize females of proven fertility (Kasinathan et /., 1972). The benzene extracts of leaves in 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg doses altered the weights of testes in male rats, without having aay significant effect on the epididymis, semi- nal vesicle, prostate and vas deferens. A significant reduction in the sperm count and motility was also observed (Seth ef al., 1981). ‘Ethanoli¢ extract (50%) of O. sanetwn leaves showed hypoglycaemic effect in rats and antispasmodic activity against spasmogen induced spasms in isolated guinea pig ileum. The extract had no antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, anthelmintic, antiviral, anticancer activities or effect on the CVS and CNS (Dhar er al, 1968). ‘Crude watery extract of O. sancnum leaves showed transient hypotensive effect ‘in anaesthetised dogs and cats and a negative inotropic and chronotropic effect on rabbit heart. The extract inhibited the spasm of smooth muscles induced by acetyl- choline, carbachol and histamine, and potentiated hexobarbitone-induced hypnosis in mice (Singh et al., 1970). The combination of essential oils of O. sanctum (0-01%), O. basilicum (0-02%) and Eucalyptus globulus (0-02°;) has been reported ta show 100 per cent mosquito larvicidal (Culex pipiens fatigans) activity, while the individual oils in these con- centrations showed only 16, 8 and 16 per cent activity respectively. However, at higher i individually showed 100 per cent larvicidal activity (Chavan against Culex pipiens fatigans and Ae. aegypti (Sharma & Wattal, 1979). The hexane extract of O, sanctum leaves showed very good larvicidal action against Culex pipiens” fatigans, but not against housefly. The acetone extract was less active (Deshmukh et ai., 1982), In another investigation, the petroleum ether extract of the plant showed larvicidal action against filaria mosquito—Culex quinquefasciatus. It also. showed ‘8 synergistic effect with synthetic chemical insecticides viz., phenthoate and fenthion (Kalyanasundaram & Babu, 1982), The ether extract of @. sanctum leaves showed antibacterial activity against * Esch. coli and Staph. aureus Goshi & Magar, 1952), M. tuberciflosis and Mic. pyogenes var. aureus (Gupta & Viswanathan, 1955). The essential oil from the leaves ex- hibited antibacterial activity against Esch, colt, B. anthracis, B. subtilis, Sal. pullorum, Sal. richmond, Sat. newport, Sal. stantey, Sal. typhimuriam, Staph, aureus, P. vulgaris and Ps. aeruginosa, being most active against Sal. stanley (Grover & Rao, 1977). The antibacterial activity of the essential oil from the leaves as also its major consti- tuents cugenol, methyleugeno! and caryophyllene against Arthrobacter globiformis,ooo 365 1B, megatherium, Esch, coli and Pseudomonas sp. has been studied. Eugenol was found most effective while caryophyllene was devoid of any inhibitory action. ‘The essential oil from the leaves also showed antifungal activity against Asper- gitlus niger, Rhizopus stofonifer and Penicillium digitatwn (Grover & Rao, 1977). The oil, as also cugenol and methyl eugenol showed activity against Alternaria solaat, Candida guillermondii, Colletotrichum capsici, Curmilaria sp., Fusariwn sofani and Helminthasporium oryzae, tugeno! being most active. Caryophyllene was however found active against these fungal organisms (Dey & Choudhuri, 1984). The essential oil from the plant exhibited antifungal activity against dermatophytes viz., Epider- mophyton floccosan, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis (Singh t al, 1983), The antimicrobial actions of 0. sanctim leaves was also studied by Sen ‘and associates (1983), who found these active against most of the organisms tested, particularly, Cuirvularia lunata, Rhizopus nigricans, Fusarium oxysporum, Ki. pneumoniae, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida torulopsis. The seeds of O. sanctum showed anticoagulase activity as evidenced by the sup- pression of coagulase activity and mannitol fermentability of pathogenic staphylo~ focei (Bhat & Broker, 1953). Action of various extracts of O. sanctum seeds on the coagulase property of Russels viper venom was also studied. Although the seed ox- tracts did not significantly affect the clotting of plasma by the venom (at | hr.), the clotting accelerator in O. sanctum seed extracts was precipitated (Bhat & Broker, 1954). ‘The essential oil from , sanctum leaves showed antimicrobial and antimycotic effects ia vivo, the former being stronger than the latter (Grover & Rao, 1977). The cthanolic extract of the leaves showed fungitoxic activity against Ritlzocfonia solani (Kishore ef al. 1982). Crude OQ. sanctum leaf extracts totally inhibited the infectivity of the papaya leaf reduction virus (PLRV), the inhibitory components being most concentrated in the young leaves (Singh, 1972), ‘of O. sanctu showed potent antiviral acti- ‘i it ‘Top necrosis virus of (Roy et je extract also redui ic Tnfectivity of beat common mastic virus although it was less effective than the neem leaf extract in this respect (Tripathi & Tripathi, 1982). ‘The petroleum ether extract of stem and leaves of O. sarctwn showed juveno~ mimetic activity on the fifth instar nymphs of Dysdercus cingulatus (Rajendran & Gopalan, 1978). ‘The acetone extract of Q, sanctum showed insecticidal activity against Spodoptera iitura (Rajendran & Gopalan, 1979), Water extract of plant Showed promising nematicidal activity against the plant parasitic nematode Melal- dogyne incognita (Vijayalakshmi et al., 1979). ‘Adaptogenic (anti-stress) activity of Q. sanctum plant (dried powder) in rats” and mice has been reported (Bhargava & Singh, 1981). The plant enhanced the phy- ‘ical endurance and survival time of swimming mice, prevented stress-induced gastric366 . ulcers in rats and protected mice, and rats against hepatotoxicity induced by carbon-tetfa= chloride (also reported by Seethalakshmi ef al. 1982). It also prevented milk-indu- ced leucocytosis in mice. Thus the plant manifested a non-specific type of protection against a variety of stress-induced biological changes. The alleged anti-asthmatic potential of O. sanctum leaves was also evaluated in experimental models. The alcoholic extract of leaves was found to protect guinea pigs against histamine and Acacia arabica (pollen) induced asthma. The effect was dose dependent, The extract also significantly inhibited histamine induced spasms in guinea pig tracheal chain preparation. The LDso of the extract in mice was 3-75 g/kg ip. On comparison with Terminalia belerica fruits, the extract was less active. ‘The results suggested the possibility of usefulness of both the drugs in non-toxic doses, in the treatment of human bronchial asthma (Palit e¢ al., 1983). ‘Clinical studies : Beneficial effect of local application of the juice of O. basilfcwm leaves against acne vulgaris in 25 patients has been reported (Balammal et a/., 1982). A commercial Ayurvedic preparation with 4 ingredients viz., 0. sanctum, Allium sativum, Piper nigrum and Curcuma longa has been claimed to have potent antimala- rial activity. Hence a controlled clinical study was undertaken on 53 patients of malaria (49 with Plasmodium vivax malaria and 4 of P. falciparum) in 5 rural areas in South India. The drug did not reveal any antiparasitaemic effect during one week period of observation, although there was relief in the clinical symptoms in $2-2 per cent of P. vivax patients and all the four patients of P. falciparum malaria (Roy et al., 1976). ©. sanctum is also an ingredient of another compound preparation, Tephrosia purpurea, Eelipta alba, Andrographis paniculata and Terminalia ehebula being the other ingredients. This preparation is claimed to be useful in the management of viral hepatitis. In a clinical trial en 32 patients of ‘Viral hepatitis, compared to 31 patients on placebo, the course of illness was shortened significantly in drug treated group, the clinical symptoms and the biochemical parameters (bilimubin clearance from the urine and SGPT levels) showing @ beneficial change (Sankaran, 1980). In a preliminary clinical trial, on 16 patients suffering from viral encephalitis, the aqueous ‘exizact of O. sanctum leaves has been reported 10 lead to a higher survival rate of patients than that in a steroid treated group of 10 patients. The incidence of residual neurological deficit in a period of ‘ofie month was reported to be low in the extract treated patients (Das ef af,, 1983). References Anjaneyalu, Y.V. and Gowda, D.C. 1978, Studies on the major acidic polysaccharide from the soed mucilage of Octmum canum (Letters to editor). Curr Sei 47, 382.367 Anjaneyalu, Y.V. and Gowda, D.C. 1980. Structural studies of a major acidic polysaccharide from the seeds of Ocimum canum. Indian J Chem 198, 51, ‘Anjaneyalu, ¥.V. and Tharanathan, R.N. 1970, The seed mucilage of Ocimum canum Sims, (Letters to editor). Curr Sei 39, 39. ‘Anjaneyalu, Y-V. and Tharanathan, R.N. 1971. Composition and preliminary fractionaction of the seed mucilage of Ocimum canum, Aust J Chem 24, 1501. Balammal, R., Thiruvengadam, K.V., Kameswaran, L., Janki, V.R. and Thambiah, AS. 1982, Effects ‘of Ocimum basiticum (Thirueerpachat) in acne vulgaris—a controlled” study. Absir of paper presented at the Int workshop on Pharmacol ard Blochem approaches to medicinal plants, Madurai, 12-18 Oct., 1982. Batta, $.K. and Santhakumari, G. 1971, The antifertility effect of Ocdwm sanctum and Hibiscus cosae ‘sinensis. Indian J Med Res $9, 777. Bhargava. K.P. and Singh, 'N. 1981. Antiestress. activity of Ocimmm sanctum Linn, Indian J Med Res 73, 443. Bhargava, K-S., Dixit, S.N., Dubey, N.K. and Tripathi, R.D, 1981, Fungitoxic properties of Ocimun ‘canum. J Indian Bot Soc 60, 24. Bhat, J.V. and Broker, R. 1953. Action of some plant extracts on pathogenic staphylococei, J Sci Ind Res 128, 540. ‘Bhat, 4.V, and Broker, R. 1954, Anticoagulase factors in some indigenous plants. J Sel Ind Res 138, 08. Chavan, $.R. and Nikam, $.T. 1982. Mosquito lnrvicidal activity of Ocimum besilicum Linn, Indian J Med Res 75, 220. ‘Chavan, S.R., Shah, M.P. and Nikam, 8.7. 1983. Individual and synergistic activity of some essen- tial olls as mosquite larvicidal agents. Bull Halfkine Inst 11, 18. Chopra, R.N., Roy, D.N. and Ghosh, $.M, 1941. Insecticidal and Jarvicidal action of the essential oils of Octraum basilicwn Linn, and Ocimum sanctum Linn. J Malaria Inst tndin 4, 109. Chowdbri, B.L. and Haksar, C.N, 1961. Study of essential oil from Ocimum kilimandscharieum. Srep, co retsctin end ‘utilization of medicinal and aromatic plants in India, Jammu, Nov. 27-29, p, 31, Chowdhri, B.L. and Haksar, CN. 1962. Study of essential oil from Ocimum kilimandscharicum, ‘Indian OW Soap J 27, 187, Chowdhri, B.L. and Haksar, C.N. 1964. Chemical separation of camphor from the essential oil of ‘Ocimum kilimandscharicum. Perfam Essent Oil Ree $5, 121. Das, SK... 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Jain, P.C, and Agrawal, $.C. 1978, Notes on the activity of some odoriferous organic compounds against some keratinophilic fungi. Trans Mycol Soc Japan 19, 197, Jain, P.C., Jain, C.K. and Jain, K, 1980. A note an the activity of odoriferous compounds against ermatophytes. Indian Drugs 17, 397. Jain, S.K. and Tarafier, C.R, 1970. Medicinal plant-lore of the Samials (A revival of P.O. Bodding’s work). Eeon Bot 24, 241, Jain, SR, and Jain, M.L. 1973, Investigations om the essential ofls af Ocimum basilicam. Planta Med 4, 286, Joshi, C.G. and Magir, N.G. 1952. Antibiotic activity of some Indian medicinal plants. J Sel Ind Res HB, 261 Kalyanasundaram, M. and Babu, C.J. 1982. Biologically active plant extracts as mosquito larvi- cides. Indian. J Med Res 76 (Suppl), 102, ‘Kannabiran, B, 1977. Pharmacognostical studies on the leaves of Ocimum cumericanum L. J Res Indian Med Yoxa Homocop 12 (1), 71. ‘Kasinathan, S., Ramakrishnan, 5. and Basu, SL, 1972, Antifertility effects of Ocimum sanctum Linn. Indian J Exp Biol 10, 23, Kaul, V-K. and Nigam, S.S. 1977. Antibacterial and antifungal studies of some essential oils. 4 Res Indian Med Yoga Homoeop 12 (3), 132. Khorana, M.L. and Vangikar, M.B. 19500, Ocimum basilicum, Part 1. A chemical study of the oil. Todian J Pharm 12, 132.369 Khorana, M.L. and. Vangikar, M.B. 1950b, Ocimum basilfcum. Part I. Antibacterial properties. ‘Indian J Pharm 12, 134. Kishore, N., Dubey, N.K., Tripathi, B.D, and Singh, SK, 1982 Fungitoxic activity of leaves of ‘some higher plants. Natl Acad Sel Lett 5 (1), 9. Lahariya, A.K. and Rao, J.T. 1979. In visro antimicrobial studies of the essential oils of Cyperus seariosus and Ocimum basilicum. Indian Drugs 16, 150. Lal, R.N., Sen, T-K. and Nigam, MC. 1979. Gas chromatography of the essential oil of Ocimum sanctum, Pectum Kosmet 59, 230. Mehra, P:N. and Atal, C.K. 1961. Studies in the mucilape yiclding seeds. I. Nutlet structure and mucilage formation in Lellemantia royleana Benth., Ocimum basiticum Linn. and Q. camunt Sims. Res Boll (N.S.) Punjab Univ 12.(I1-1V}, 169. Mehta, A., Chopra, S., Mehta, P. and Kharaya, M.D. 1978-79. Antimicrobial activity of some ‘essential oll against certain pathogenic bacteria. Ball Bot Soc Univ Saugar 25-26, 14, Nait, A.G.R. and Gunasegaran, R, 1982, Chemical investigation of certain South Indian plants. Indian J Chem 218, 979. ‘Narasimha Rao, BG.V. and Subba Rao, P. 1972. Efficacy of some essential oils on pathogenic fungi, Il. Flavour Ind 3, 368 ‘Narayana, K,, Subba Rao, H. and Setty, D.R.L. 1973, Successful treatment of demodectic mange with’ @ combination of rythrina indica, Ocimum basilicum and Leueas aspera. Indian Yet J $2, 494, Nigam, M.C., Handa, K.L. and Gupta, G.N. 1965. Gas chromatographic examination of the oil of Ocimum kilimandscharicum. Perfum Essent Ol Rec 56, 654. ‘Nigam, M.C., Handa, K.L. and Rao, PR. 1970. Gas chromatography of the essential oil of sweet basil : A potential source of linalool in India. Perfum Kosmet 51, 151. ‘Nigam, $5. and Lakshmi Kumari, G. 1962. Application of physical methods to the analysis of ‘essential oils. Part I. Chromatography, isolation of a new sesquiterpene alcohol (cratissimo!) from the essontial oil of wild Ocimum gratissimum Roxb. Perfum Essent Oil Rec $3, 529. Palit, G., Singh, S.P., Singh, N., Kohli, R.P. and Bhargava, K.P. 1983. An experimental evaluation ‘of anticasthmatic plant drugs from the ancieat ayurvedic medicine. Aspéets Allergy Imaunol 16, 36. Patcl, BLR., Bhatt, LP. and Satakopan, S. 1977. Diagnostic keys for ayurvedic powdered crude drugs. Indian Drags 14, 201. Purushothaman, K.K. and Vasantha, $. 1978. 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Indian Med Gaz 4, 65.370 Sankaran, J.R. 1980. Tefoli in the management of viral hepatitis. Antkseptic 77, 643. Sawhney, S.S., Suri, RK. and Thind, T-S. 1977. Antimicrobial efficacy of some essential oils Jim vitro. Indian Drugs 15, 30. Scethalakshmi, B., Narasippa, A.P. and Kenchaveerappa, S. 1982. Protective effect of Ocimum sanctum in experimental liver injury in albino fats. Proc Indian Pharmacol Soc., XIV Ann Conf., Bombay, Dec, 29-31, 1981. Indian J Pharmacol 14, 63. Sen, K., De, G. and Chakraborty, R. 1983. Antiniicrobial property of Ocimum sanctum and Gossypium hirsutum. Indian J Mycol Res 21, 99. Seth, S.D., Johri, N,agd Sundaram, K.R. 1981. Antispermatogenic effect of Ocimum sanctum. Indian J Exp Biol 19, 975, Sharma, M.L., Chandokhe, N., Ray Ghatak, B.J., Jamwal, K.S., Gupta, O.P., Singh, G.B., Mohd. Ali, M., Thakur, R.S.. Handa, K.L., Rao, P.R., Jamwal, P.S. and Sarcen, Y.K. 1978, Phar- macological screening: of Indian medicinal plants. Indian J Exp Biol 16, 228. Sharma, S.K. and Wattal, B.L, 1979. Efficacy of some mucilaginous seeds as biological control agents against mosquito larvae. J Entomol Res 3(2), 172, Singh, A.B. 1972. Inhibitory activity of some plant extracts on the infectivity of papaya leaf reduc- tion virus. Acta Phytopath Hung 7, 175. Singh, A.K., Dikshit, A., Sharma, M.L, and Dixit, S.N. 1980. Fungitoxic activity of some essential oils, Keon Hot 34, 186, ‘Singh, K.V. and Pathak, R.K. 1979, Antimicrobial activity of some plant extracts. Indian Drugs Pharmaceut Ind 14(4), 25, Singh, L, and Sharma, M. 1978. Antifungal properties of some plant extracts. Geoblos (2), 49. ‘Singh, P-P., Sharma, N.M. and Suri, B.K. 1969. Value of preen leaves as sourees of available cal- cium, Indian J Med Res $7, 204, Singh, S.P:, Singh, S.K. and Tripathi, S.C, 1983, Antifungal activity of essen Inbiatse plants against dermatophytes, Indian Perfam 27, 171, Singh, TJ., Dasgupta, P., Khan, 8.¥. and Mishra, K.C. 1970. 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Vijoyalakihmi, K., Mishra, SD. and Prasad, S.K. 1979, Nematicidal properties of some indigenous plant materials against second stage juveniles of Melofdog ne tncognita (kolfoid & white) chit- wood, Indian J Entomol 41, 326, Vohora, S.B., Garg, 5.K. and Chaudhury, R-R. 1969. Effects of sia indigenous plants on eatly prege ancy in albino rats. Indian J Mod Res. $7, 493, Zaidi, LH. Ahmad, M, and Abdullah, A. 1983. A. preliminary study for chemical standardization ‘on seeds of Qciman basificeme Linn... Octorm-gratissimim Linn. ard Lalfementte royleana ‘Benth, Nagarjun 26 (3), 64 OLDENLANDIA Linn. (Rubiaceae) (0. AURICULARIA K. Schum. syn. Hedyotis auricularia Linn. Ben. — Muttia-lata Kon. — Bhooya-nankeri Kan, & — Nela-nekkare Mal. — XKoudal, Churiki Tel. Mar. — Dapoli Distribution = A prostrate or suberect annual, grows wild in western ghats and North- eastern parts of India. Parts used =: Leaves. Properties ind uses ascribed in Traditional Medicine : Leaves in the form of extract or decoction are used in diarthoea, dysentery, colitis; also used 48 an emollient application to abscesses and as a salve for wounds, also said to be useful in deafness (Nadkarni, 1954; Chopra et af., 1958). 0. CORYMBOSA Linn. syn. 1. corymbosa (Linn.) Lam. Ben, — Khet-papra, Khet-para © Guj. — Khet-papra, Parpat Eng. — Two flowered Indian Hind. — Daman paper Madder