Anti-microbial activity of Herbal Dhoopa on clinical isolates of common nosocomial pathogens – An invitro study

Abstract

Traditional practices such as Dhoopana (fumigation) are utilized to disinfect and reduce microbial levels within the environment. This study aims to create herbal Dhoopa sticks and test the antimicrobial activity against bacteria, which often cause nosocomial infections. Methods: Dhoopa sticks were made by blending Guggulu, Aguru, Sarjarasa, Vacha, Shweta Sarshap, Saindhav, Nimba, and Ghee with cow dung and milk. These sticks were then air-dried for five days at 45 degrees Celsius and stored. Antimicrobial activity for Dhoopa was tested on 10 clinical isolates namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus pneumoniae, E Coli, Streptococcus pyogenes, Acinetobacter spp and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The Agar Plates prepared were exposed to Dhoopana for 2 hours, then incubated at 37 degrees Celsius for 24 hours. Efficacy of Dhoopana was assessed based on viability of organisms. Results: Visible growth was absent in 6 sub cultured plates and present in 4 plates after exposure to Dhoopana Conclusion: Study suggest that Dhoopana is effective as antibacterial against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Streptococcus pneumoniae and using Dhoopa sticks for fumigation can effectively prevent and control nosocomial infections caused by these pathogens.