Abstract

ANTIBACTERIAL EFFICACY OF OILS USED IN AYURVEDIC FORMULATIONS AGAINST SKIN DISEASES

A. Borate*, N. Ansari M. Udgire, S. Mathur

Department of Microbiology, Rishi Biotech, Mumbai

Abstract

Skin infections caused by microorganisms are common but significant which normally occur after a break in the skin, such as a surgical incision, cut, wound or insect bite. Both Siddha and Ayurveda are ancient systems of medicine stated use of several oils in their topical formulations against skin diseases. Present study aims to evaluate antibacterial efficacy of commonly used oil from the seeds of plants such as Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia), Karanja (Pongamia pinnata), and Neem (Azadirachta indica). Antibacterial assay was performed by agar well diffusion method against Gram positive skin pathogens, like Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram negative skin pathogens, which included Klebsiella pneumoniae , Proteus mirabillis, Proteus vulgaris and Escherichia coli. Neem, Karanja and Bakuchi seed oils exhibited significant antibacterial activity against skin pathogens, however comparatively Bakuchi seed oil was found to be more potent against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. These results support the use of Neem, Karanja and Bakuchi seed oils in the development of ayurvedic topical skin formulations.

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