Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Modified Cream Based on Ayurvedic Formulation ‘Anoda Kola Alepaya’

Abstract

Background: ‘Anoda Kola Alepaya’ is a traditional Ayurvedic formulation which is composed of leaves of Abutilon indicum (country mallow), rhizomes of Curcuma longa (turmeric), seeds of Oryza sativa (rice) and Cocos nucifera (coconut). Objectives: To evaluate antimicrobial activity of a modified cream based on ‘Alepaya’ against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans Methods: The ‘Alepaya’ and aqueous extracts (AE) of A. indicum, C. longa, O. sativa and C. nucifera were prepared. Antimicrobial activity and respective IC50 values of the ‘Alepaya’ and AE of its components was evaluated by agar disc diffusion method against P. aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), S. aureus (ATCC 25923) and C. albicans (ATCC 10231). A modified cream was prepared using AE of the ingredients of the ‘Alepaya’, white soft paraffin, Tween 20, emulsifying wax and distilled water by phase inversion technique. Antimicrobial activity of the cream was evaluated using agar well diffusion method. Gentamicin (0.4mg/disc) and fluconazole (0.4mg/disc) were used as the positive controls in both tests. Distilled water and 10% DMSO were used as negative controls for agar disc diffusion and well diffusion methods, respectively. Physical observations of formulated cream were made for a period of three months at 8ºC, 25ºC and 40ºC weekly. Formulated cream was evaluated for physical appearance, pH, spreadability, centrifuge testing and freeze thaw test. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26.0. Results: ‘Alepaya’ and its ingredients demonstrated significant antimicrobial effects (p˂0.001) except O. sativa and C. nucifera compared to the respective negative control. The IC50 values obtained for ‘Alepaya’, A indicum, C. longa and formulated cream were 228.20 µg/mL, 332.50 µg/mL, 304.00 µg/mL and 268.00 µg/mL, respectively against P. aeruginosa; 149.90 µg/mL, 316.00 µg/mL, 344.00 µg/mL and 235.50 µg/mL, respectively against S. aureus and 350.30 µg/mL, 407.00 µg/mL, 450.00 µg/mL and 400.10 µg/mL, respectively against C. albicans. Formulated cream was stable throughout three months. The pH at 29ºC was 6.17 and the spreadability was 31.34±0.88. Phase separation was not seen. Conclusions: Formulated cream exhibited antimicrobial activity against the tested organisms. The cream was stable throughout three months. Keywords:. Abutilon indicum; Curcuma longa; Oryza sativa; Cocos nucifera; Antimicrobial