Background: Anxiety is a normal emotional behavior, however, becomes pathological precipitating cardiovascular and psychiatric disorders when it is severe. Many allopathic drugs are available to treat anxiety disorders, among which benzodiazepines are most commonly used which possess various systemic side effects. Aims and Objectives: In our study, we have attempted to evaluate new compound Ocimum sanctum (OS) in the hope of identifying the anxiolytics with fewer side effects as many plant products have been claimed to be free from side effects and less toxic than synthetic drugs. Materials and Methods: The anxiolytic activity of ethanolic extract of OS is evaluated with two validated modes, elevated plus maze and light and dark exploration test. A total of 60 animals (n = 60) were used. They were divided into five groups of six animals each for both models. The effects of the test drug OS at three different doses 1.75, 4.25, and 8.5 mg/kg were compared with the standard anxiolytic diazepam at 1 mg/kg dose and control group using 1% gum acacia at 10 ml/kg dose 1 h after administration of the drug. Results: The behavioral changes in both paradigms are suggestive of decreased anxiety, decreased aversion to light and increased exploratory behavior of the animal which is comparable changes produced by the standard drug diazepam concluding that OS has anxiolytic activity. Conclusion: OS has potential clinical application in the management of anxiety disorders. Further investigation of the mechanism/mechanisms of action of the plant extract, as well as the active substance/substances responsible for its biological actions, is necessary.

Background: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder. Ocimum sanctum (OS) (tulsi) has analgesic, anticancer, antiasthmatic, antidiabetic, antifertility, hepatoprotective, hypotensive, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune modulatory, and antistress properties. Aims and Objectives: The objective was to evaluate the anticonvulsant effect of ethanolic extract of leaves of OS and to compare the anticonvulsant effect with the standard sodium valproate in electrically and chemically induced epileptic animal models. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 albino rats (150-200 g) of male sex were randomly selected. They were divided into five groups (per model) of six rats each. Control group received normal saline (0.35 ml/100 g), standard group sodium valproate (300 mg/kg), and the test groups were given OS at three different doses (1.75, 4.25, and 8.5 mg/kg). The anticonvulsant activity was screened using maximal electroshock seizure (MES) model and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) model. Results were analyzed by ANOVA followed by post-hoc turkey's test. Results: The ethanolic extract of OS leaves at doses of 4.25 and 8.5 mg/kg has shown significant anticonvulsant by decreasing the duration of tonic hind limb extension activity in MES model and by prolonging the duration of seizure latency in PTZ model. Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of OS leaves possess anticonvulsant activity which can be comparable with the standard sodium valproate.