The role of Ursolic acid, a pharmacologically active compound from Ocimum sanctum L. as a potential chemotherapeutic agent

The global cancer burden is predicted to rise by 40 % around the year 2030. Cancer-related mortality is exacerbated by the fact that the disease is becoming increasingly resistant to standard treatments. Efforts are being made, therefore, to discover a powerful natural substance that could serve this function. The identification and understanding of bioactive compounds and their underlying molecular pathways present a significant potential for advancing therapeutic interventions in many diseased conditions, such as cancer. Ocimum sanctum L . , an Ayurvedic plant commonly known as “ Krishna tulsi ” is a cherished medicinal plant having a diverse array of bioactive compounds. This study focuses on ursolic acid (UA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid that has garnered attention for its potential as a chemo-preventive and chemotherapeutic agent in different cancers. In this study, we investigate the potential of UA in cancer treatment. Due to its wide distribution, accessible availability, and high UA content, the current investigation focuses on UA derived from Ocimum sanctum L. for cancer treatment. The article relied on PubMed, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Embase, and ScienceDirect for much of its literature. Therefore, the review summarizes the different signaling pathways that are inhibited by UA in the prevention of cancer. It further provides information on the different phytochemical present in different species of Ocimum and highlights the role of UA in different cascading pathways that target cancer progression.