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FOOD REVIEWS INTERNATIONAL
Taylor and Francis
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Herbs and plant metabolites/extracts are gaining wide attention owing to
their multiple beneficial health effects, medicinal values, and nutraceutical
properties, particularly in the present era of emerging drug resistance and
untold side effects of chemical drugs. Ocimum basilicum L., known as sweet
basil, has been studied for its various potent effects including, antimicrobial,
antifungal, insecticidal, antiparasitic, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antiinflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-osteoporotic, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, anti-cancer, and other beneficial health effects. Thus, this herb has
the potential for treating a myriad of ailments/diseases and disorders in both
humans and animals. Different bioactive chemical compounds have been
identified from O. basilicum, such as linalool, geraniol, methyl eugenol,
methyl chavicol, p-allylanisole, 1,8–cineole, trans–α–bergamotene, and
neryl acetate. Recent advances in nanotechnology can further be utilized
for improving the multiple beneficial activities of the crude extract of
O. basilicum. This review highlights the phytoconstituent profile, medicinal
values, therapeutic applications, and salient beneficial health aspects of
O. basilicum, which would help in further exploring this wonderful herb for
designing effective pharmaceuticals, drugs and medicines for safeguarding
various health issues of humans and animals, while supporting its traditional
use in curing various ailments, diseases and health-promoting effects.
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