An Appraisal on Antimicrobial Activity of Herbomineral Formulations

Abstract

In Ayurveda, many herbal, metal-mineral and herbomineral formulations are used as method of treatment in various diseases like Jwara (Fever), Krmi Roga (Microbial Infections), Kushtha Roga (Skin Disease), and Sotha (Inflammation). Microbial infection is now a leading cause of health problem and death. Both the practitioners and people are taking less interest to prescribe and take the modern antimicrobial drug, due to side effect and drug resistance. Recently, the world is looking towards Ayurvedic formulations as a replacement of anti-microbial drugs to counter microbial infection, due to fewer side effects and more compatibility to our body. These anti-microbial activities may be due to specific secondary metabolites or complex of phytomolecules with suitable mineral components. In this review we have studied about some herbomineral formulations that have shown antimicrobial property in experimental studies. The study has included the method of preparation of herbomineral formulations mentioned in authentic classical Ayurveda texts like Rasa Tarangini, Bhaishajya Ratnavali, etc. the experimental methods used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing and the results of the study against the microbes. In addition to that the study has also included other therapeutic potentiality of these herbomineral formulation. The classical herbomineral formulations used for study in this review are found to be more effective against several microbe as compared to standard modern anti-microbial drug. This review will helpful for the researcher in various approaches of these Ayurvedic herbomineral formulations in the field of microbiology and antimicrobial treatment.