Abstract

ANTIMICROBIAL ASSAYS OF AN AYURVEDIC HERBAL EYE DROPS FOR DRY EYE SYNDROME

*N. Srikanth, Sharad D. Pawar, Arjun Singh, S. N. Murthy and R. R. Padmavar

ABSTRACT

Kerato-conjunctivitis sicca (KCS), or dry eye disease, is one of the most common complaints seen by ophthalmologists. In the existing scenario of ageing population and increasing environmental factors it is becoming even more prevalent. Although dry eye is not a trivial complaint, the symptoms cause significant discomfort and substantially reduce the sufferer’s quality of life. Together with measures such as tear preservation, use of tear stimulants and tear substitutes, prevention and control of infection also comprehends as an important approach in the management of Kerato-conjunctivitis sicca (KCS), or dry eye syndrome (DES). Considering its importance, antimicrobial assay of the Ayurvedic herbal eye drops formulated for dry eye syndrome was performed. The study encompasses antibacterial assays for determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) using pathogenic strains of bacteria; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhinurium, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia as test organisms and screening of antifungal activity of eye drops against Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans. The studies revealed notable anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity against selected microbial strains, conceivably compliment to the management of dry eye syndrome.

Keywords: antimicrobial assay, Ayurvedic herbal eye drop, dry eye syndrome.