ABSTRACT
Objective: The present study evaluates anti-microbial effect of hydrogel formulated with the extracts of some indigenous drugs against Propionibacterium acne. Material and Method: Procured Manjishtha (Rubia Cordifolia L.), Shalmali (Salmalia malabarica (DC. Schott & Endl) Schott & Endl.), Daruharidra (Berberis aristate DC), Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller), Yashthimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra L). Extracts of all drugs except Aloe vera were collected by hydroalcoholic extraction using the Soxhlet apparatus. Aqueous extract of Aloe vera was collected by drying method. Two types of hydrogels were prepared with the extracts of these drugs, one with 5% extract and the other with 10% extract. Propionibacterium acne strains were collected from CSIR-Imtech Chandigarh. Culturing of bacteria was done by using nutrient broth. Nutrient agar was used for preparing the culture media. The antibacterial efficacy of the hydrogels was evaluated by comparing them with standard gentamycin. Result: The prepared hydrogel showed an anti-bacterial effect, but it is comparatively less when compared with the standard gentamycin. Conclusion: The prepared gel has anti-microbial activity. 10% hyrdogel showed better results than 5% hydrogel.
ABSTRACT
Brass (Pittala) is a very popular and common metal alloy typically comprised of 66% copper and 34% zinc. Undoubtedly, it has a much longer history than Zinc. Ayurvedic treatises such as Charaka Samhita (2nd century BC) and Sushruta Samhita (3rd century BC) have mentioned some instruments used for various therapies and surgical procedures made of Pittala such as Jeevah-nirlekhana (tongue scarper), Vasti Netra etc. The original Sanskrit equivalent for brass was Riti, the word Pittala being subsequently adopted for it. In Kautilya Arthasastra (4th century) it is known as Arakuta. Pittala kills a large number of microorganisms within a few minutes to hours of contact. So, it is a good antifouling material. Its ethno-medicinal use is in Raktapitta, Krimi, Kushta and Pandu Roga. Probably, there is no available literary research study done on Pittala so far. Most of the information is obtained from Rasa Ratan Samuchchaya. Pittala Bhasma retains the property of both Tamra (copper) and Yashada (zinc). It has Tikta Rasa (bitter taste), and its Virya (temperament) is either Ushna (hot) or Sheeta (cold), which depends on the variety of Pittala and various drugs used in the process to make Bhasma. It appears from the thorough search of the process of Marana, that its Bhasma preparation is easier than Tamra.
ABSTRACT
Gradual increase of Population in urban area may leads to environmental pollution and microbial infection in air and water increases exponentially. Most of the persons in the population are in trap of mental stress and depression due to struggle in the life and overload of work. So both of these conditions are responsible for so many disease and ill-health, and one more important thing is that due to increase negligence and uninhabited use of processed food, the ill effects on health are compound manifold when coupled with unhealthy lifestyle and food habits. So there is a need of taking dietary supplementary food or nutraceutical. The main aim of Ayurveda has been working upon a twofold process i.e., to maintain the health of a healthy individual and to treat the one with the disease. Thus by laying emphasis on the first aspect and combining it with the knowledge of the role of phytochemical as, one can gradually deduce an effective module for living healthy and line of treatment of metabolic and geriatric disorders. The phytochemical are the essential nutrients, which are naturally contained in plants and are required for normal physiological functions. The Rasayan not only boost general health but also provide the necessary raw materials to strengthen the defense mechanism of the body.