Glycyrrhizic acid present in the plant inhibits virus growth and inactivates virus particles. 5.1.2. Ocimum sanctum. O. sanctum, also known as Tulsi and Holy Basil, is an aromatic plant of the family Lamiaceae. The plant, as a whole, is a treasure house of potent compounds with its leaves, seeds, and roots, as well as flower being medicinally important and is considered divine by the Hindus. O. sanctum is considered E7080 to be an adaptogen par excellence. It harmonizes different processes in the body and is helpful in acclimatizing to stress. The main chemical constituents of O. sanctum are oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, eugenol, carvacrol, linalool, and caryophyllene. The antiviral activity of eugenol has been reported. Ocimum extracts are used in ayurvedic remedies for common colds, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various forms of poisoning, and malaria.
Traditionally, O. sanctum is taken in many forms as herbal tea, dried powder, fresh leaf, or mixed with ghee. Essential oil extracted from Karpoora O. sanctum is mostly used for medicinal purposes and in herbal cosmetics, and is widely used in skin preparations due to its antimicrobial activity. Recent studies suggest that O. sanctum may be a COX 2 inhibitor, Epothilone A like many modern painkillers, due to its high concentration of eugenol. O. sanctum is reported to be an effective treatment for diabetes and high cholesterol. O. sanctum also shows promise for protection against radiation damage. O. sanctum leaves contain highest percentage of essential oils, infusion of which is given in malaria.
Juice of the leaves is taken internally and is very effective in skin diseases such as itches fungal infections. Fresh leaves also cure chronic fever and when mixed with honey and ginger juice, it is useful in cough and bronchitis. During the past decade the plant has been extensively investigated and has been shown to possess a range of biological activities such as antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, and antiviral activity. Nitric oxide production was induced by O. tenuiflorum extracts in stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro and the active component responsible for immunomodulatory action were identified. The extract was also used to stimulate the cells individually and in combination with mitogens as well. The antimicrobial properties of O. sanctum make it useful for the management of novel H1N1 flu.
5.1.3. Alium sativum. Alium sativum, also known as Lahsan and Garlic, belongs to family Alliaceae. A. sativum has been used throughout recorded chronicles for both culinary and medicinal purposes. It has a characteristic pungent, spicy flavor. A. sativum has been used for hundreds of years to treat fungal, parasitic, and viral infections, and has anti inflammatory properties that show promise for prevention of cardiovascular disease. It is known to kill influenza virus in vitro. Researchers are focusing on an extract of A. sativum called ajoene, which appears to protect CD cells from attack by HIV early in the viral life cycle. At low concentrations, the drug appears to have little toxicity, and its anti HIV activity is 45 times more powerful than the drug dextran sulfate. Ajoene is found only in fresh A. sativum and is not readily procurable.