Ocimum Basilicum as Alternative Natural Cancer Care

Abstract

Cancer is the most dreadful disease worldwide in terms of morbidity and mortality. The exact cause of cancer development and progression is not fully known. Ocimum Basilicum (OB) or basil contains citric acid, essential oils, 1-8 sineol, arigin, anetol, flavonoid, boron, stigmasterol, eugenol, beta-carotene, magnesium and tryptophan. Works as an anticancer through phenolic compounds (caffeine acid, p-kumarat acid) which is an antiproliferative agent, which will increase the number of non-apoptotic cells in the synthesis phase in the cell cycle and decrease the number of non-apoptotic cells in the G2/M phase. While caffeine acid may cause an increase in FasL, which is a receptor of death (Fas). The existence of a complex between FasL and Fas can induce signaling that induces cell death. Phenolics have also been shown to decrease the Bcl2 antiapoptotic protein, so apoptosis does not work. Increased Bcl2 expression will be followed by an increase in Bax, which is produced because cancer cells may mutate in the p53 protein, triggering a dimer between the two and triggering apoptosis through Fas.

OB extract, containing flavonoids that have an effect as a chemopreventive agent by protecting lymphocytes from cancer induction. Another compound is the essential oil (terpenoid) that can inhibit tumor by improving the performance of Human Natural Killer in immune system (immunostimulan), so as to destroy tumor cells and increase macrophage cells that act as the phagocytes of damaged cells. In this review will be discussed about the role of OB in the natural treatment of cancer and the working mechanisms involved in it.