Vol.

12/1 (2012) 63-67

JOURNAL OF NATURAL REMEDIES

Effect of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn) on clinical and

biochemical parameters of metabolic syndrome
D.K.Devra, *K.C.Mathur, R.P. Agrawal, Indra bhadu, Shekhar goyal, Vivek agarwal,

Department of physiology, S.P.Medical College, Bikaner diabetes care & research centre, S.P. Medical College,
Bikaner.

Abstract
Metabolic syndrome can be defined as a set of symptoms, associated with a risk of coronary artery disease,
hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia and obesity. Eugenol is a phenolic compound and major constituent
of essential oils extracted from different parts of Tulsi plant. Its therapeutic use has been established on the basis
of several pharmacological studies related with hyperglycemia, hypertension and dyslipidemia. To investigate the
effect of Tulsi on clinical and biochemical parameters of metabolic syndrome. Hundred patients randomly selected
for this study, further categorized in 2 groups, control group and study group. Patients were asked to take 5ml of
Tulsi extract two times a day for three months. Baseline parameters were taken for every patient i.e. BMI, W/H
Ratio fasting blood sugar, blood pressure, HbA1c, lipid profile. Biochemical and anthropometric data were also
recorded at the end of the study. On comparing control and study population for effect of Tulsi therapy, an
improving trend was observed in study group. BMI (27.00±3.23 to 27.10±8.64 kg/m2, p<0.9), SBP (151.30±8.48
to 138.68±9.84 mmHg, p<0.001), DBP (95.76±3.63 to 87.12±8.81 mmHg, p<0.001), glycemic control – FBS
(209.26±40.15 to 155.28±20.70 mg/dl, p<0.001), HbA1c (8.82±1.25 to 7.34±0.89%, p<0.001). Lipid profile–total
cholesterol (244.04±26.30 to 209.28±29.03mg/dl, p<0.001), triglyceride (176.48±16.75 to 138.32±15.17mg/dl,
p<0.001), HDL (33.58±3.47 to 39.36±4.25mg/dl, p<0.001), LDL (174.9±26.82 to 142.11±27.50mg/dl, p<0.001),
VLDL (35.37±3.84 to 27.66±3.03mg/dl, p<0.001). In metabolic syndrome, Tulsi therapy significantly reduces
blood glucose, blood pressure and lipid profile. It shows the therapeutic effect of Tulsi and it may be used as an
adjunct with diet and drugs in management of metabolic syndrome.

1. Introduction
Since the time of Charaka and Susruta many there is not perfect concordance between the
herbal medicines in different oral formulations insulin resistance syndrome and metabolic
have been recommended for metabolic syndrome, for practical purposes, these terms
syndrome. When several features of the insulin are often used interchangeably [1].Recently, the
resistance syndrome cluster together (obesity, World Health Organization has recommended,
hyperglycemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia and especially in developing countries, the invitation
accelerated cardiovascular disease) this has been of programmes designed to use medicinal plants
described as the metabolic syndrome. Although more effectively in the traditional healthcare

* Corresponding author
Email: drrpagrawal@yahoo.co.in
64 R.P Agrawal et al. / Journal of Natural Remedies, Vol. 12/1 (2012) 63-67

system [2]. In last few decades many studies each patient was obtained regarding the age, sex,
have been carried out by Indian Scientists and year of diagnosis at diabetes, duration of
Researchers to suggest the role of essential oils diabetes, associated risk factors, family history
and eugenol (Tulsi extract) in the therapeutic and any associated illness. Age criteria in the
potential of Tulsi [3,4]. Different parts of the study was 40 yrs and above. The life style was
Tulsi have been recommended for antidiabetic, change in relation with diet, exercise, alcohol
antihypertensive adaptogenic, antilipidemic and consumption and smoking in both the groups
cardio protective properties. Eugenol (1- as all the patients were instructed to follow
hydroxy-2-methoxy-4-allylbenzene), the active similar diet schedule along with restrictions for
constituent present in Ocimum S anctum Linn, alcohol and smoking. The selected cases were
has been found to be largely responsible for the divided into two groups randomly; one group
therapeutic potential of Tulsi [5]. received placebo and served as control group
and another group received Tulsi extract and
Current drugs used for diabetes therapy are not
served as study group. Patients included in the
free from side effects and do not restore normal
study group were asked to take 5ml of Tulsi
glucose homeostasis. Moreover, providing
extract with plane water in morning and evening
modern medicinal healthcare across the world,
before food for three months regularly.Tulsi
especially in developing countries, is still a far
extract stored at controlled room temperature
reaching goal due to economic constraints.
before and after handing over to patients.
Thus, it is necessary to look for new and if
Baseline parameters were taken of every patient
possible, more efficacious drugs and to make
i.e. BMI, fasting blood sugar, blood pressure,
use of the vast reserves of phytotherapy for
HbA1c, lipid profile. Weekly patients were
medicinal purpose [6]. The effectof
evaluated for BMI, fasting blood sugar and blood
supplementation of Tulsi leaf powder was
pressure. After three months HbA1c and lipid
studied on diabetic symptoms, anthropometrics
profile were also estimated.
parameters and blood pressure in non insulin
dependent diabetes patients [7]. Hypoglycemic, Exclusion criteria:-Patient suffering from liver
hypolipidemic and antioxidant property of tulsi diseases, arthritis, pulmonary tuberculosis,
was studied on streptozotocin induced diabeteic malabsorption, alcoholism and non cooperative
rats [8]. Hence,it was planned to study the effect patients were excluded from the study.
of Tulsi on clinical and biochemical parameters
Patients were examined for:-
of metabolic syndrome.
BMI:- Weight/Height 2 and NCEP ATP III
2. Materials & Methods
guidelines were used for the grading of BMI
Sources of Data: - For this study, hundred ratio.
patients were randomly selected from the
Blood Pressure:- by syphygnomanometer in
Diabetes Care & Research Centre of PBM
resting supine position after 5 minutes rest.
Hospital. Approval was obtained by the Ethics
committee, S.P.Medical College, Bikaner. Fasting Blood Sugar:-by glucose oxidase
method with stat fax 3300.
Place of Study:-This study was conducted in
the Department of Physiology, S.P.Medical Glycosylate haemoglobin (HbA1c):-by ion
College, Bikaner. exchange resin method with HbA1c kit.
Data Collection Procedure:-A detailed history of Lipid Profile:- Trigyceride and Cholesterol:by
 R.P Agrawal et al. / Journal of Natural Remedies, Vol. 12/1 (2012) 63-67 65

colorimetrically using enzymatic kits (GPO- Ayurved Sansthan post office Swarga Shram
PAP with ATCS) provided by DCRC. (Uttrakhand), is well equipped with various
analytical instruments. TLC method used for
HDL:-CE-CO-PAP enzymatic end point. analytical data of tulsi ark. Supply of Tulsi arka
LDLandVLDL:-by friedewald formula: in 200 ml bottle with sealed air tight lid.
VLDLC (mg/dl) + triglceride/5 2.1 Stastical analysis
LDL-C (mg/dl) =Total cholesterol (HDL- For statistical comparison of data, appropriate
C+VLDL-C) statistical model was applied. The subjects were
selected on a random basis. Since the study was
Tulsi extract (Tulsi arka):- Tulsi leaves areused conducted at one place only, hence geographical
for preparing tulsi ark byAqueous extraction and climatric conditions were similar in all the
method, is manufactured at Gita Bhawan cases. The data is expressed as mean ± SD.

Table 1. Comparison of different parameters between the groups at pre-treatment

Parameter Control Group Study Group p
Mean ±SD Mean ±SD
BMI(Kg/m2) 28.63 2.66 27 3.23 < .01
WH Ratio 0.95 0.66 0.97 0.06 < .5
BP(mmHg) Systolic 152.76 8.81 151.30 8.48 < .1
Diastolic 95.96 2.19 95.76 3.63 < .8
Glycaemic FBS 203.06 67.20 209.26 40.15 < .5
(mg/dl)
Control HbA1c % 8.83 1.64 8.82 1.25 < .9
Lipid Profile TC 257.40 16.15 244.04 26.30 < .1
(mg/dl) TG 176.60 9.36 176.48 16.75 < .9
HDL 33.02 4.01 33.58 3.47 < .8
LDL 169.41 10.16 174.91 26.82 < .1
VLDL 35.32 1.87 35.37 3.84 <.9

Table 2. Comparison of different parameters between the groups at post treatment

Parameters Control Group Study Group t p

Mean ±SD Mean ±SD
BMI (Kg/m2) 28.11 2.65 27.10 8.64 .79 <.5
WH Ratio 0.95 0.05 0.93 0.05 2.00 <.5
B.P (mmHg) SBP 150.20 3.88 138.68 9.84 7.73 <.001
DBP 93.98 4.04 87.12 8.81 5.77 <.001
Glycaemic FBS(mg/dl) 202.52 39.87 155.28 20.70 6.87 <.001
Control HbA1c % 7.93 1.40 7.34 0.89 2.56 <.05
Lipid TC 256.50 24.70 209.28 29.03 10.83 <.001
Profile(mg/dl) TG 175.10 18.53 138.32 15.17 16.88 <.001
HDL 33.74 4.31 39.36 4.25 6.53 <.001
LDL 167.05 10.33 142.11 27.50 6.01 <.001
VLDL 33.23 1.85 27.66 3.03 10.92 <.001
66 R.P Agrawal et al. / Journal of Natural Remedies, Vol. 12/1 (2012) 63-67

3. Result In this study the significant fall in fasting blood

There was insignificant difference in various sugar and HbA1c may be attributed to the
parameters in the control group. In this group hypoglycemic effect of Tulsi. Liu JP. et. Al
DBP, HbA1c and VLDL were found (2004) also observed a Cochrane review of the
significantly changes from 95.96±2.19 to use of traditional plants in hyperglycemia found
93.98±4.04, 8.83±1.64 to 7.93±1.40 and a hypoglycemic response to holy basil verses
35.32±1.87 to 33.23±1.85. placebo in one small trial (N=40) [9].
Chattopadhyay has also reported a well
The BMI in the treatment group slightly
definedrole of alcoholic extract of Tulsi leaves
changed from 27.00±3.23 to 27.10±8.64
in suppressing blood sugar level in normal
(p<0.9) and it was insignificant. Improvement
glucose fed hyperglycemia, insulin treated and
in systolic and diastolic blood pressure from
diabetic rats as compared to control animals [10]
151.30±8.48 and 95.76±3.63 to 138.68±9.84
Agrawal et al have suggested that Tulsi leaves
and 87.12±8.81 mmHg were significant at
improve the beta cell function and enhance
p<0.001 after treatment with Tulsi extract. The
insulin secretion [11]. Sarkar et al have reported
mean fasting blood sugar and HbA1c in the
that in dry weight basil leaves are apparently more
treatment group improved from the values of
effective in lowering the blood glucose levels as
209.2640.15 and 8.82±1.25 to 155.28±20.70
compared to dry seeds [12]. Satyawati et al
and 7.34±0.89 (p<0.001) respectively. The
have report that Tulsi leaves inhibit absorption
significant changes in lipid profile: Total
cholesterol (244.04±26.30 to 209.28±29.03, of glucose from the intestine but the nature of
p<0.001), triglyceride (176.48±16.75 to active principle and exact mode of its action
138.32±15.17, p<0.001), HDL (33.58±3.47 remains unclear [13]. Several studies show that
to 39.36±4.25, p<0.001), LDL (174.91±26.82 Tulsi has hypoglycemic action.
to 142.11±27.50,p<0.001) and VLDL In our study there is significant fall in systolic
(35.37±3.84 to 27.66±3.03, p<0.001) were and diastolic blood pressure and this will support
observed in the study group after treatment. the antihypertensive effect of Tulsi. However,
The anthropometric and biochemical indices of in a scientific study, no significant effect was
both the groups control & study were studied observed on dog’s blood pressure and guinea
for different variables in the beginning of study pig heart [14]. On the other hand aqueous
and there was no significant difference in extract of Tulsi has been found to possess
baseline parameters. (Table 1) hypotensive myocardial depressant and
On comparing both the groups control and bradycardiac effect [15]. In a very recent study
study after three months treatment, changes in Tulsi oil was injected intravenously in
all the parameters were found significant except anaesthetized dog and found to have hypotensive
W/H ratio and BMI. (Table 2) effect. It was postulated that the hypotensive
effect is possibly due to peripheral vasodilatation.
4. Discussion
Eugenol oil is the most important constituent
In the traditional system of Indian medicine present in leaves of Tulsi. The oil contains
different parts of Tulsi have been recommended essential fatty acid like lenoleic and lenolenic acids
for anti diabetic, antihypertensive adaptogenic, which produce prostaglandins: PGE1 and PGE3
antilipidemic and cardio protective properties. and also inhibit formation of PGE2. These two
 R.P Agrawal et al. / Journal of Natural Remedies, Vol. 12/1 (2012) 63-67 67

PGE1 and PGE3 produce vasodilatory action is improvement in glucose tolerance [8]. Mani
and cause hypotensive effect. et al have reported significant reduction in lipid
profile in serum and tissue lipids in normal and
In present study there is significant fall in serum
diabetic rats treated with Tulsi leaves powder
cholesterol, Triglyceride, LDL and VLDL in
[17].
Tulsi treated group. Rai et al observed that
eugenol is oil present in Tulsi leaves and this oil 5. Conclusion
has been shown to cause inhibition of lipid per
oxidation [16]. Eshart halim et al observed that It can be concluded that in metabolic syndrome,
oral administration of ocimum sanctum mixed Tulsi therapy significantly reduces blood sugar,
with diet for eight weeks to diabetic blood pressure and lipid profile. It shows the
(streptozotocin induce) rats shown a significant therapeutic effect of Tulsi and it may be used
reduction in fasting blood sugar, serum lipid as an adjunct with diet and drugs in the
profile, lipid per oxidation products and also there management of metabolic syndrome.

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