Antibacterial effect of triphala churna against common wound pathogens

Background: The increasing overuse and sometimes, failure of chemotherapeutics and antibiotic resistance exhibited by pathogenic infectious microbes, have led to the screening of several medicinal plants for their potential antimicrobial activity. The antibacterial effect of cold and hot extract of Triphalachurna is one such medicinal extract. Materials and Methods: The clinical samples received at the Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal were tested using the extract by agar dilution method against common wound pathogens such as MSSA, MRSA, E. coli (probable ESBL producer), K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter. Results: Triphalachurna was found most potent against all the organisms. The study showed susceptibility of wound pathogens to the aqueous extract of Triphalachurna. The cold extraction was proportionally effective against each Gram negative organism in comparison to hot extraction. Acinetobacter species were the most susceptible to the antibacterial effect, followed by P. aeruginosa which showed intermediate susceptibility. E. coli and K. pneumoniae showed least susceptibility. MRSA was more susceptible than MSSA against the cold extraction; hot extraction was equally effective against both MRSA and MSSA. Conclusion: The herbal preparation helps in inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria and hence preventing wound infection.