**2. Health benefits of phytochemicals**

"Phyto" in the word of phytochemicals is derived from the Greek word "phyto," which means plant. Phytochemicals are a naturally occurring group of chemicals in plants and plant-derived foods, which may function in reducing the risk of chronic diseases [8]. Although it is estimated at least more than 5000 dietary phytochemicals have been discovered, it is believed that a high percentage of phytochemicals in foods still remain unknown [8]. Critical reviews of studies available in the literature support the concept that phytochemicals (polyphenols, tocopherols, tocotrienols, carotenoids, and ascorbic acid) has been associated with the maintenance of good health as well as prevention/treatment of many health conditions including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, metabolic syndrome, and other degenerative diseases. It is largely accepted that the additive effects of the combinations of various phytochemicals in whole plant-based foods are shown to have stronger protective actions than single, isolated phytochemical compounds [9].

#### **3. Role of secondary metabolites**

New drug model seeks to meet on bringing compounds active toward target proteins. Even though newly pharmaceutical companies and support organizations

**183**

**Figure 1.**

*Major pathways of biosynthesis of secondary metabolites [15].*

Ocimum *Phytochemicals and Their Potential Impact on Human Health*

take influence in molecular design, combinatorial chemistry and synthetic chemistry, natural productions, and especially those of plant source, remain as a prerequisite cause of new remedies, current medicine leads and other new synthetic entities

Plants produce a diverse array of compounds that can broadly be categorized into primary and secondary metabolites. Primary metabolites are the ones which are required for the normal growth and biological processes and are produced in the pathways that are crucial for plant survival. The other class of metabolites, though generally termed secondary, is also very crucial for plants from the ecological

These secondary metabolites are classified on the basis of their biosynthetic pathway and the following types are frequently observed-terpenes, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, saponins, and glucosinolates. The availability of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur along with energy from the primary metabolism governs the

Metabolites are the mediators and amounts of metabolism. The term metabolite is commonly confined to narrow fragments. Metabolites have specific functions,

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88555*

biosynthesis of these compounds [12].

**4. Classification of secondary metabolites**

(NCEs) [10, 11].

perspective.

Ocimum *Phytochemicals and Their Potential Impact on Human Health DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88555*

*Phytochemicals in Human Health*

demand against green remedies because of their rapid-acting implements, people have been turned up to understand the benefits correlated with essential remedies. Chemically prepared drugs may act at earlier, but they side effects which influence the human body separately in the long run, because medicinal plants work in an integrated or probiotic with limited or no negative effects on the body [3].

The genus *Ocimum* includes approximately 150 species, possessing a great variation in plant morphology and biology, essential oil content, and chemical composition [4]. The economic importance and global dissemination of *Ocimum*, with its many uses in cooking and folk medicine, make it important to investigate its pharmacological and toxicological effects in order to ensure its efficacy and safety. In India, among the medicinal herbs known for their healing properties, the genus *Ocimum* (commonly known as 'Basil' or 'Tulsi') is very important for its curative potential. Basils contain a wide range of essential oils rich in phenolic compounds and a wide array of other natural products including flavonoids and anthocyanins [5] having great pharmacological importance. Nowadays, scientists are mainly focused on exploring the potential of plant antioxidants for curing several diseases. Antioxidants are compounds that can delay or inhibit the oxidation of lipids or other molecules by inhibiting the initiation or propagation of oxidative chain reactions [6]. Antioxidants counteract the harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals generated in the living organism during regular metabolism, especially under stress conditions. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have already proved the antioxidative property of beta-carotene, alfa-tocopherol, ascorbic acids, phenolics, flavonoids present in different plants [7]. Presently due to our regular stressful lifestyle, we are suffering from several types of diseases like aging, diabetes, degenerative disorders, etc., which mainly develop due to the development of ROS in our body. A dynamic balance is already operating in our body to reduce the harmful effects of generated ROS that is not adequate enough. Therefore, it is obvious to enrich our diet with antioxidants for developing protection. The purpose of this paper will focus on the recent research of the major nutrients and phytochemicals of *Ocimum* and their potential health

benefits related to the dietary prevention of chronic diseases.

"Phyto" in the word of phytochemicals is derived from the Greek word "phyto," which means plant. Phytochemicals are a naturally occurring group of chemicals in plants and plant-derived foods, which may function in reducing the risk of chronic diseases [8]. Although it is estimated at least more than 5000 dietary phytochemicals have been discovered, it is believed that a high percentage of phytochemicals in foods still remain unknown [8]. Critical reviews of studies available in the literature support the concept that phytochemicals (polyphenols, tocopherols, tocotrienols, carotenoids, and ascorbic acid) has been associated with the maintenance of good health as well as prevention/treatment of many health conditions including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, metabolic syndrome, and other degenerative diseases. It is largely accepted that the additive effects of the combinations of various phytochemicals in whole plant-based foods are shown to have stronger protective actions than single, isolated phytochemical compounds [9].

New drug model seeks to meet on bringing compounds active toward target proteins. Even though newly pharmaceutical companies and support organizations

**2. Health benefits of phytochemicals**

**3. Role of secondary metabolites**

**182**

take influence in molecular design, combinatorial chemistry and synthetic chemistry, natural productions, and especially those of plant source, remain as a prerequisite cause of new remedies, current medicine leads and other new synthetic entities (NCEs) [10, 11].

Plants produce a diverse array of compounds that can broadly be categorized into primary and secondary metabolites. Primary metabolites are the ones which are required for the normal growth and biological processes and are produced in the pathways that are crucial for plant survival. The other class of metabolites, though generally termed secondary, is also very crucial for plants from the ecological perspective.

These secondary metabolites are classified on the basis of their biosynthetic pathway and the following types are frequently observed-terpenes, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, saponins, and glucosinolates. The availability of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur along with energy from the primary metabolism governs the biosynthesis of these compounds [12].
