Eugenol: Therapeutic Potential of Tulsi (Osimum sanctum L.)

The therapeutic potential of tulsi (Osimum sanctum L.) has been established on the basis of several pharmacological studies carried out with eugenol and hexane extracts of leaves of tulsi plant. The methenolic extract of tulsi leaves were used for characterization in 2D HPLC (Sepbox). Total 18 fractions were obtained of which 4 fractions found positive for euginol as tested by TLC. These four fractions were combined for antimicrobial activity. Fractions containing euginol was found with antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescence, Bacillus subtilis and antifungal activities against Sclerosium rolfsi, Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium Solani, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger. Results showed that eugenol compounds which is characterized by TLC, PC and 2D HPLC have preserve therapeutic potentiality against many diseases carrying microbial activity. The air-dried pellet of tulsi leaves were subjected to XRF characterization and results evident total 21 mineral element present in tulsi leaves. The calcium was found in maximum followed by potassium, iron and sulphur which are important for human health.

Autorentext

Dr. Harsukh P. Gajera, Ph. D. (Biochemistry) has expertise in the field of food processing, nutrition and nutri-genomics, quality aspects of agricultural produces, phytochemistry of medicinal plants, biotic and abiotic stress resistance in crop plants, DNA markers for diversity analysis in crops.