OCIMUM SANCTUM AS A POTENTIAL ANTICANCER AGENT: A REVIEW OF CURRENT EVIDENCE

Cancer arises due to uncontrolled cell growth resulting from genetic mutations that disrupt normal cellular regulation. Over the years, natural products have played a crucial role in the development of anticancer therapies, with a significant proportion of modern drugs derived from plant sources. Ocimum sanctum, commonly known as Tulsi, has gained increasing scientific attention due to its wide range of pharmacological properties and long-standing use in traditional medicine. Tulsi is rich in bioactive compounds such as eugenol, ursolic acid, apigenin, and luteolin, which contribute to its therapeutic potential. Scientific studies have demonstrated that Tulsi exhibits antioxidant, anti- inflammatory, antimicrobial, and chemopreventive properties. Experimental studies on various cancer cell lines, including lung, breast, liver, and leukemic cells, have shown that Tulsi extracts inhibit cell proliferation, reduce tumor growth, suppress angiogenesis, and modulate multiple molecular pathways such as Akt, ERK, and p53. Additionally, Tulsi enhances detoxification processes and reduces oxidative stress, further contributing to its protective effects. Overall, Tulsi represents a promising natural agent with potential applications as an adjuvant in cancer prevention and therapy.