Abstract

The antibacterial potential of clinically used herbal decoctions available in India

Author(s): S.B.Dahikar, D.H.Tambekar, N.R.Sharma, M.D.Lahare, B.T.Longani, S.R.Arote

Due to side effects of synthetic products, herbal products are gaining popularity in the world market. Herbal remedies have been used for the prevention and treatment of disease and for healing purposes since before the beginning of human civilization. The purpose of this experimentwas to determine the antibacterial effect of herbal decoctions available inMarket against enteric bacterial pathogens. Some herbal decoctions were procured from the local market such as Gokharu kadha (Sandu Brothers), Triphala kadha (Sandu Brothers), Mahamanjishthadi kadha (Baidyanath), Mahasudarshan kadha (Baidyanath), The aqueous solutions of these decoctionswere prepared and then tested for their antibacterial activity against enteric pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Proteus vulgaris. A simple disc diffusion method was employed. Overall, the Herbal decoctions exhibited good antibacterial effects on the enteric pathogens. Mahasudarshan kadha shows a higher antibacterial effect against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and staphylococcus epidermidis. Mahamanjishthadi kadha shows significant antibacterial effect on the Staphylococcus epidermidis.