Amazonian Basil

Generic name: Ocimum Campechianum P. Mill., Ocimum Micranthum Willd.
Brand names: Albahaca De Monte, Alfavaca, Alfavaca-do-campo, Amazonian Basil, Estoraque, Least Basil, Manjericao, Ocimum, Peruvian Basil, Spice Basil, Wild Mosquito Plant, Wild Sweet Basil, X'kakaltun

Usage of Amazonian Basil

Ethnopharmacologic and in vitro studies have been conducted to evaluate the pharmacology of Amazonian basil. Most analyses examine the pharmacologic activity of the essential oils. Analgesic activity with O. micranthum oil and anticonvulsant, antispasmodic, and antifungal activities associated with dichlormethane and methanol extracts of the plant have been documented.(Vasconcelos Silva 2004a)

Antimicrobial activity

The aromatic alcohols are primarily responsible for the antimicrobial activity of the Amazonian basil essential oils.(Sacchetti 2004)

In vitro data

When used in combination with fluconazole, the essential oil of O. campechianum led to a 32-fold and 2-fold lower inhibitory/fungicidal activity against 3 Candida species than fluconazole or O. campechianum essential oil alone, respectively.(Tacchini 2020)

According to results using the disk-diffusion method, O. micranthum essential oil has antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis), gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and fungi (Candida). The essential oil also has dose-dependent activity against food-related yeasts and contaminating bacteria. Extracts have antiprotozoal activity against Trypanosoma cruzi, possibly due to O. micranthum's polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids, and lignans.(Borges-Argaez 2000, Murillo 2002, Navarro 2003, Sacchetti 2004, Vieira 2014)

Antioxidant/Anti-inflammatory effects

In vitro data

In vitro analyses document antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.(Lino 2005, Navarro 2003, Pinho 2012, Sacchetti 2004)

In one study, a traditional aqueous preparation of O. campechianum had significant antioxidant activity, unlike the ethanolic extracts of the leaves, stems, or roots; the aqueous preparation's median effective concentration (EC50) was 150 mcg/mL (P<0.05) when tested against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The EC50 of the positive control, vitamin C, was 51 mcg/mL. None of the 4 preparations showed significant antiglycation end-product activity.(Dzib-Guerra 2016) In another study assessing biological activity of several O. campechianum preparations, the essential oil showed the highest radical scavenging activity compared with the ethanolic and methanolic extracts. The EC50 of the essential oil was 7.7 mcg/mL against DPPH and 3.18 mcg/mL against 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), which were values close to those of the positive control Trolox (3.66 and 2.14 mcg/mL, respectively).(Tacchini 2020)

Cardiovascular activity

Animal and in vitro data

Methyl cinnamate extracted from O. campechianum showed vasorelaxant properties in isolated rat aortic smooth muscle tissue.(Slish 1999, Vasconcelos-Silva 2014)

Hyperglycemia

Animal and in vitro data

Semipurified fractions of O. campechianum have demonstrated alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity, as well as antihyperglycemic activity. While the leaf infusion of O. campechianum caused a moderate decrease in glucose levels in vivo, the semipurified fractions A through D produced a decrease in blood glucose similar to that produced by acarbose.(Ruiz-Vargas 2019)

Insecticidal/Larvicidal activity

In vitro data

The essential oil has insecticidal activity.(Murillo 2002, Navarro 2003) Larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti (the yellow fever mosquito) has also been demonstrated with the essential oil of O. micranthum.(Ricarte 2020, Scalvenzi 2019)

Snakebite

Animal and in vitro data

O. micranthum may have antihemorrhagic properties; according to results of an animal and in vitro study, O. micranthum moderately neutralizes the hemorrhagic activity of venom of the Bothrops atrox pit viper species of northwestern Colombia.(Otero 2000)

Amazonian Basil side effects

Clinical studies are lacking regarding associated adverse effects.

Before taking Amazonian Basil

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Emmenagogue and abortifacient effects have been reported for the related species O. basilicum.(Ernst 2002) Ethnopharmacologic data document O. campechianum's use as an emmenagogue in Brazil. In Puerto Rico, O. micranthum has been used to increase lactation.(Sacchetti 2004, Vieira 2000)

How to use Amazonian Basil

Clinical data are lacking to provide dosing recommendations for Amazonian basil.

Warnings

None well documented. Ethanolic, methanolic, and essential oil preparations of O. campechianum were not considered potentially mutagenic based on Ames testing, but the essential oil was noted to be cytotoxic at the highest concentration tested (100%).(Tacchini 2020)

What other drugs will affect Amazonian Basil

Although no clinical evidence exists, ethnopharmacologic data document use of O. campechianum as a diuretic in Brazil.(Sacchetti 2004, Vieira 2000) Individuals prescribed diuretic medications (eg, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide) should be cautioned about potential additive effects when self-medicating with this herb.

Eugenol was observed to be hepatotoxic in glutathione-depleted mice, leading to a cautionary note by the World Health Organization on concomitant use with acetaminophen.(WHO 2002)

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords