IN VITRO STUDY OF ENDOPHYTIC BACTERIA BACILLUS CEREUS FROM TULSI LEAF AGAINST ESCHERICHIA COLI IN KAPHAJA PRATHISHYAYA

Abstract

Kaphaja Pratishyaya is a frequently observed respiratory disease shows typical Ghana-Shwetha-Snigdha-Srava (thick-whitish-mucoid discharge) characteristic features of Nasa Srava (nasal discharge). Among the microbial flora of these nasal secretion’s organisms like Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli etc can be observed. Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) an herb, is known since Vedic period recognized for its medicinal and therapeutic use. It is referred to as Pratishyayaghna, Kaphakrith and Krimighna. Endophyte is bacterium or fungus that lives within a plant without causing apparent disease for at-least part of its life cycle these are present in all varieties of plants. The present study aims to evaluate sensitivity of secondary metabolites extracted from identified endophytic bacteria in Tulsi leaf (Ocimum sanctum) against Escherichia coli present in nasal culture of Kaphaja Prathisyaya. Patients of Kapahaja Pratishayaya were subjected for nasal swab culture and those with positive results for Escherichia coli were further used. The endophytic bacteria Bacillus cereus present in the Tulsi leaf was extracted and isolated. Further sensitivity test was performed by Agar well diffusion method and zone of inhibition was measured. The secondary metabolites extracted from Bacillus cereus exhibited krimghna (anti-microbial) action against Escherichia coli. Comparison of mean values of zone of inhibition at different concentrations of secondary metabolites extracted from Bacillus cereus showed higher mean value (21.27) at 62μg/ml concentration with slight difference in the mean value of other concentrations. Secondary metabolites have an affinity for bio-membranes present in the organisms as a consequence they show antimicrobial and cyto-toxic activities.