A comparative antibacterial evaluation of raw and processed Guñjā (Abrus precatorius Linn.) seeds

• Published in: Ancient science of life Vol. 32; no. 1; pp. 20 - 23
• Main Authors: Roy, Sudipta, Acharya, Rabinarayan, Mandal, Narayan C, Barman, Soma, Ghosh, Ranjan, Roy, Rajiv
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd 01-07-2012
• Subjects: Original; Abrus precatorius Linn; anti-bacterial; Guñjā; Abrin; Śhodhana
• ISSN: 0257-7941; 2249-9547
• DOI: 10.4103/0257-7941.113794

Seed of Guñjā (Abrus precatorius Linn.), a known poisonous drug, is used extensively in various ayurvedic formulations with great therapeutic significance. Ayurveda recommends the administration of Guñjā in diseases like Indralupta (alopecia), Śotha (edema), Kṛmi (helminthes), Kuṣṭha (skin diseases), Kaṇḍu (itching), Prameha (urinary disorders) etc., after being treated with specific Śodhana (purification) procedures.
To assess the antimicrobial action of of raw and Śhodhita (Processed) Guñjā seeds.
Guñjā seeds after being processed with Godugdha (cow's milk), Nimbu swarasa (Lemon juice), Kāñjī (Sour gruel) and water, as the media, were evaluated for its antibacterial effect against clinically important bacterial strains using agar well diffusion method.
Aqueous extracts of raw seeds of Guñjā exert its antibacterial effect on both Gram positive, as well as Gram negative bacteria but none of the Śodhita Guñjā seeds showed any bactericidal effect on any bacterial strains. Chloroform extracts of all the Śodhita Guñjā seed extracts could inhibit bacterial growth but with variations.
The study displayed that chloroform extracts of raw and śodhita samples for bacterial study were much sensitive than the aqueous extracts.