Physiological and metabolic alterations in basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) varieties under distinct soil water levels

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a medicinal species used in several areas, such as food, medicines and cosmetics, and the understanding of its physiological behavior under environmental conditions is of paramount importance for the improvement of cultivation methods. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different water availability under physiological, biochemical and metabolic characteristics, in three distinct genotypes: 'Alfavaca basilicão', 'Gennaro de menta' and 'Grecco à palla', during two different phenological stages (vegetative and reproductive). It was found that the water deficit promotes physiological changes to tolerate water stress, and the studied genotypes have different routes to achieve this physiological tolerance, which culminates in a distinct accumulation of metabolites in plants, and can be considered interesting if the final product is the production of essential oils.

The Effect of Ocimum basilicum L. and Its Main Ingredients on Respiratory Disorders: An Experimental, Preclinical, and Clinical Review

Ocimum basilicum L. (O. basilicum) and its constituents show anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant effects. The plant has been mainly utilized in traditional medicine for the treatment of respiratory disorders. In the present article, effects of O. basilicum and its main constituents on respiratory disorders, assessed by experimental and clinical studies, were reviewed. Relevant studies were searched in PubMed, Science Direct, Medline, and Embase databases using relevant keywords including “Ocimum basilicum,” “basilicums,” “linalool,” “respiratory disease,” “asthma,” “obstructive pulmonary disease,” “bronchodilatory,” “bronchitis,” “lung cancer,” and “pulmonary fibrosis,” and other related keywords.The reviewed articles showed both relieving and preventing effects of the plant and its ingredients on obstructive pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and other respiratory disorders such as bronchitis, aspergillosis tuberculosis, and lung cancer. The results of the reviewed articles suggest the therapeutic potential of O. basilicum and its constituent, linalool, on respiratory disorders.

Antimicrobial activity by solvents extracted from Ocimum basilicum herb against multidrug resistant gram negative rods.

ABSTRACT: Background: Failure of treatment with antibiotics occurs due to increase in number of Multidrug resistant gram negative bacteria, worldwide. The objective of this study was to find out the antimicrobial activity of crude ethanolic extract and its further three fractions by Ocimum basilicum leaves against multi drug resistant gram negative rods. Material and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore from 1st july 2016 to 30th june 2017. Total 80 multidrug resistant gram negative rods were included in this study. Agar dilution method was performed to determine MIC of crude ethanolic extract and different fractions i-e n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate of Ocimum basilicum leaves against multidrug resistant gram negative rods i-e ESBLs and carbapenemase producers. Muti-inoculater was used for inoculation. Results: The mean MICs of crude ethanolic extract, n-hexane fraction, chloroform fraction, and ethyl acetate fraction of Ocimum basilicum against ESBLs were 100.0±8.00, 168.13±8.00, 176.88±8.00 41.75±8.00 respectively. Similarly, the mean MICs of crude ethanolic extract, n-hexane fraction, chloroform fraction, and ethyl acetate fraction of Ocimum basilicum against carbapenemase producers were 77.50±8.00, 113.75±8.00, 132.50±8.00 and 29.50±8.00 respectively. Conclusions: Ethyl acetate fraction and crude ethanolic extract from leaves of Ocimum basilicum showed good antibacterial effectiveness against ESBLs and carbapenem resistant organisms than other fractions. This finding may also promote the effective use of O. basilicum herb and its components in modern medicine.