A comparative antibacterial evaluation of raw and processed Guñjā (Abrus precatorius Linn.) seeds.
BACKGROUND
Seed of Guñjā (Abrus precatorius Linn.), a known poisonous drug, is used extensively in various ayurvedic formulations with great therapeutic significance. Ayurveda recommends the administration of Guñjā in diseases like Indralupta (alopecia), Śotha (edema), Kṛmi (helminthes), Kuṣṭha (skin diseases), Kaṇḍu (itching), Prameha (urinary disorders) etc., after being treated with specific Śodhana (purification) procedures.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the antimicrobial action of of raw and Śhodhita (Processed) Guñjā seeds.


METHODS
Guñjā seeds after being processed with Godugdha (cow's milk), Nimbu swarasa (Lemon juice), Kāñjī (Sour gruel) and water, as the media, were evaluated for its antibacterial effect against clinically important bacterial strains using agar well diffusion method.


RESULTS
Aqueous extracts of raw seeds of Guñjā exert its antibacterial effect on both Gram positive, as well as Gram negative bacteria but none of the Śodhita Guñjā seeds showed any bactericidal effect on any bacterial strains. Chloroform extracts of all the Śodhita Guñjā seed extracts could inhibit bacterial growth but with variations.


CONCLUSIONS
The study displayed that chloroform extracts of raw and śodhita samples for bacterial study were much sensitive than the aqueous extracts.
Department of Dravyaguna, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, India.
Sudipta
S
Roy
Rabinarayan
R
Acharya
Narayan C
NC
Mandal
Soma
S
Barman
Ranjan
R
Ghosh
Rajiv
R
Roy
Abrin; Abrus precatorius Linn; Guñjā; anti-bacterial; Śhodhana