Abstract:
Siddha Medicine is one of the medical system of Indigenous Medicine.
Siddha drugs have been prepared by using herbs, minerals, metals and animal
products. Pongamia pinnata leaves, seeds, flowers, bark and root bark are
used in the treatment in Siddha Medicine and seeds and root bark oils are
used in the treatment of skin diseases. In general the organisms
Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa caused wounds and ear
infections. Hence the aim of the study was to evaluate the antibacterial
activity of oil of Pongamia pinnata against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC
25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC
27853), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212). Pungam Paal oil was prepared
according to the Siddha literature. PungamPaal -oil was prepared by milks
of root bark of Pongamia pinnata, Cocos nucifera, Helicterus isora,
Boswellia seratta, zinc sulphassulphate of zinc and copper sulphate. The
antibacterial activity was carried out using the cut well diffusion method with
Muller Hinton Agar. The diameter of the zone of inhibition (ZOI) was
measured after 24 hours incubation. The P.P-oil showed inhibition activity
against all the organisms tested. The diameter of Z-O-I is ranging from 11 ±
1.16 to 22 ± 0.29mm. Oil showed antibacterial activity against gram negative
bacteria ranging from 11 ± 1.16 to 22 ± 0.29mm. The diameter of Z.O.I of oil
is greater than the diameter of Z-O-I of standard streptomycin (21±0.91mm).
The oil has an antibacterial activity against tested organisms that could be
used in treatment of infectious disease caused by Enterococcus faecalis,
Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli. Further
studies will be needed with wide spectrum of clinical isolates and to identify
the active compounds of the oil.
