Analytico-in-vitro experimental study of aqueous extract of Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) patra vis-a-vis anti-microbial effect

Abstract

Inefficiency of medical therapies used in order to cure patients with microbial infestations requires safe, effective new antimicrobial agents based on variety of parameters. Ayurveda being a holistic science uses many such safe and effective herbal and herbo-mineral interventions in the management of microbial infestations. Nimba (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) is one commonly available and well known medicinal plant used as krimihara dravya (antimicrobial drug). It has tikta, rasa (bitter taste), Laghu guna (light in property) sheeta veerya (cold in potency), katu vipaka (pungent of metabolism) act as krimighna (Antimicrobial), kusthaghna (alleviates Skin disease), vranaropana (wound healing), raktashodhaka (blood purifier). Also it acts as antioxidant, inhibits bacterial growth. Aim and objectives: To evaluate the physico- phyto-constituents and to assess anti-microbial effect of aqueous extract of Nimba patra. Materials and methods:  The official part of the trial drug was subjected for exhaustive extraction by using distilled water and analyzed for physico-chemical, phyto-chemical analysis and antimicrobial evaluation by using  aqueous extract on Staphylococcus aureus (SA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), Proteus mirabilis (PM), E. coli (EC) and Candida albicans (CA) with Agar well diffusion method to asses Minimum Inhibitory concentration, Minimal Bactericidal Concentration with a dose of Stock 10g/10ml. Observation and results: Physico-chemical study shows 4.63%w/w moisture content,  9.05%w/w Ash content, 5.16 pH value, phyto-chemical analysis indicates the presence of tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and anti- microbial study of aqueous extract of nimbi patra shows significant effect on bacteria and fungus in comparison with known standard drug.