Antimicrobial and Other Pharmacological Properties of Ocimum basilicum, Lamiaceae

Molecules. 2024 Jan 12;29(2):388. doi: 10.3390/molecules29020388.

Abstract

Since ancient times, various scientists and doctors have utilized different herbs to heal diseases. Due to the rise in drug resistance and the negative effects of chemosynthetic drugs, researchers and the general public around the world have become more interested in medicinal herbs and plant metabolites/extracts. This is due to its non-toxicity and its several health benefits when used to treat diseases in clinical and medical settings. Ocimum basilicum is one such plant, possessing a wide range of bioactive phytochemicals including alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, reducing sugars, cardiac glycosides, steroids and glycosides, as well as complex pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, wound healing and antiviral properties. The results of many studies on Ocimum basilicum plant extracts are collected and presented in this review. The plant extracts have excellent potential to be used as medicinal raw materials, and exhibit an extensive variety of therapeutic capacities, including antibacterial, antioxidant, wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antiviral properties.

Keywords: Ocimum basilicum; anti-inflammatory; antimicrobial; antioxidant; antiviral.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents* / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Lamiaceae*
  • Ocimum basilicum*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antiviral Agents

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.