Abstract

ANTIBIOFILM EFFECT OF ALUM (SPHATIKA) AND ITS BHASMA (SPHATIKA BHASMA) AGAINST CANDIDA ALBICANS AND ITS MIXED CULTURE WITH BACTERIA: AN IN VITRO STUDY

*Anuya Aparna Rege

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Abstract

Candida albicans biofilms are widely considered as major virulence factor and a key determinant to the high mortality rate. Furthermore, Infections that arise from mixed-species biofilms are considerably more difficult to treat than their single species counterparts. Therefore, prevention and eradication of Biofilms is crucial which can be achieved through natural products. Hence, in the present in vitro study, Antibiofilm potential of Alum (Sphatika) as well as its Bhasma, Sphatika Bhasma was evaluated against C. albicans and its Mixed Culture with bacteria (C. albicans + Mixed Bacteria) using crystal violet staining method at 370 C as well as at RT (250 C). Overall, present in vitro study has revealed mild antibiofilm activity of Alum as well as Sphatika Bhasma against C. albicans, however, strong antibiofilm potential against Mixed Culture (C. albicans + Mixed Bacteria). Moreover, the combination of Alum + Sphatika Bhasma exhibited the highest combinatorial effect against Mixed Culture at 370 C. In After-Treatment assay, overall good antibiofilm effect was noted with Alum, Sphatika Bhasma and the 11 combinations prepared with standard antibiotics at 370 C against Mixed Culture, wherein, Sphatika Bhasma displayed better inhibitory potential than Alum. Thus, the current in vitro study has exhibited predominant Antibiofilm potential of Alum as well as Sphatika Bhasma against Mixed Culture. The antibiofilm potential of Alum and Sphatika Bhasma against Mixed Culture revealed through present in vitro study could be attributed to their Antioxidant potential, Phenolic content, Flavonoid content and presence of elements such as Aluminium, Calcium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium and Zinc.

Keywords: Alum, Sphatika Bhasma, Bhasmas, Ayurveda, Antibiofilm, Natural Products, Mixed Culture.