ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF RED OCHRE TRITURATED WITH PUNICA GRANATUM (DADIM BHAVIT GAIRIKVATI)

Antibiotic or antifungal drug resistance is a major challenge in this era. Because the discovery and development of new drugs takes a long time. So, ancient medicine formulations are being checked for antimicrobial properties. Red ochre triturated with Punica granatum (Dadim bhavit gairikvati) is herbo-mineral formulation prepared by red ochre (Gairika/Ferric Oxide fe₂O₃) triturated with Punica granatum (Dadima-pomengrate juice). The process is done according to the classical text Sharangadhara Samhita. This formulation is useful in naushea, vomiting, hyperacidity, anemia, piles, anorexia, diarrhea, burning micturation, etc. Analytical testing shows normal results within the standard range. The formulation is tested with reference to standard drugs for antibacterial study as two types of gram positive bacteria, viz. Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, and two types of gram negative bacteria, viz. E. coli and Proteus mirabilis. Two fungi, named Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger are also tested again with the same formulation. Five batches of samples for each organism are tested. A statistical tool such as the mean (a measure of central tendacy) is used for analysis. Staphylococcus aures (14.6mm), Bacillus subtilis (16mm), Escheria coli (15mm), Proteus mirabilis (16.4mm), Candida albicans (17.2mm) and Aspergillus niger (19.2mm) were found to have a zone of inhbition in the formulation. The positive result shows about 50% antibacterial and antifungal activity as compared with standard drugs (Streptomycin and fluconazole).