en Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Pharmaceutical Biotechnology مقاله مروری Review Article <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt"><span style="line-height:115%">Neurodegenerative diseases are major global health concerns due to progressive neuronal deterioration. Natural compounds, particularly plant polyphenols, are being explored for their neuroprotective potential. <i><span style="color:black">O.</span>&nbsp; sanctum </i>(Holy Basil or Tulsi) polyphenols, which possess pharmacological activities, were emphasized in this review. <i>O. sanctum</i> contains flavonoids, phenolic acids, and tannins, which exhibit strong antioxidant activity through scavenging free radicals and boosting endogenous antioxidants. These compounds also demonstrate anti-inflammatory activities, modulate cytokine production, and increase synaptic plasticity. Their anti-apoptotic effects inhibit the degeneration of neuronal cells. Preclinical studies demonstrated potential neuroprotective effects of <i><span style="color:black">O.</span> sanctum</i> polyphenols in different NDD models, with a few <span style="color:black">clinical studies suggesting their&nbsp;</span>safety and efficacy over conventional neuroprotective medicines. Elucidating these mechanisms could help the development of <i>O. sanctum&nbsp;</i>polyphenols as drugs to combat NDDs and improve patient outcomes.</span></span></span></div> Anti-inflammatory agents, Neurodegenerative diseases, Neuroprotection, Ocimum sanctum, Polyphenols 267 278 http://ibj.pasteur.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-6194-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Nikhat Parween nikhatparween42@gmail.com 0000-0003-4342-0438 Yes Department of Biochemistry, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi-110062, India Saurabh Pandey saurabhpandey@jamiahamdard.ac.in 0000-0002-5339-095X No Department of Biochemistry, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi-110062, India Birendra Prasad bprasadpu@gmail.com 0000-0001-6291-560X No Microbial & Molecular Genetics Lab., Department of Botany, Patna University, Patna-800005, India