Ispectrum Magazine Ispectrum Magazine #10 | Page 36

Anti-cancer mechanisms of tulasi In a study done by Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow, on the protective effect of tulasi, effects of the alcoholic extract of the leaves of tulasi on 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA), 7,12-dimethylbenzan- thracene (DMBA) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) induced skin tumorigenesis in a mouse model were investigated. It was concluded that leaf extract of tulasi provides protection against chemical carcinogenesis in one or more 35 of the following mechanisms: (i) by acting as an antioxidant; (ii) by modulating phase I and II enzymes; (iii) by exhibiting anti-proliferative activity [14]