Abstract

EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIBIOFILM POTENTIAL OF ALUM (SPHATIKA) AND IT’S BHASMA (SPHATIKA BHASMA) AGAINST CLINICAL ISOLATES- AN IN VITRO STUDY

Dr. Anuya Aparna Rege*, Mrs. Dipti Bhushan Kolte, Ms. Mrudali Sanjay Ambre

ABSTRACT

Natural products have played a key role in drug discovery especially against infectious diseases. One such natural products used for therapeutic purposes is Alum (Sphatika). Besides, Ayurvedic “Bhasma” formulations have been used for treatment of various ailments widely in India. Hence, in the present in vitro study, antimicrobial activities of Alum (Sphatika) and Sphatika Bhasma were evaluated against total 6 clinical isolates, viz., K. aerogenes, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, P. mirabilis, P. vulgaris, S. flexneri and a mixed culture, using various assays such as MIC, MBC and Agar Well Diffusion Method. Further, their effect on bacterial biofilms was also detected using crystal violet staining method. The antibiofilm activity of Alum was noted in the order of P. mirabilis > P. aeruginosa > P. vulgaris > K. pneumoniae > S. flexneri > Mixed culture > K. aerogenes, whereas, antibiofilm activity of Sphatika Bhasma was noted in the order of P. aeruginosa > Mixed culture > P. vulgaris > S. flexneri > K. pneumoniae > P. mirabilis > K. aerogenes. Furthermore, AL + SB combination acted synergistically against the biofilms of clinical isolates. Moreover, Alum and Sphatika Bhasma have revealed Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm potential against mono as well as mixed cultures in present in vitro study. Additionally, earlier study has revealed broad spectrum Antibacterial activity and Antibiofilm effect of Alum (Sphatika) and Sphatika Bhasma against standard bacterial strains. Whereas, current in vitro study exhibited their Antibacterial and Antibiofilm potentials against clinical isolates. Hence, they can be good candidates for further investigations.

Keywords: Alum, Sphatika Bhasma, Ayurveda, Natural Products, Antimicrobial, Antibiofilm.