Antimicrobial Potency of the Leaf 鈥� Stalk Extract of Curcuma longa (LINN)
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Antimicrobial Potency of the Leaf 鈥� Stalk Extract of Curcuma longa (LINN)
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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Original source:
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R. Mazumder, T. Mendiratta, S.C. Mondal, A. Mazumder
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Antimicrobial Potency of the Leaf 鈥� Stalk Extract of Curcuma longa (LINN)
Year: 2000
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The study investigates the antimicrobial potency of the leaf-stalk extract of Curcuma longa Linn (turmeric) against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. The research, conducted by a team from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Birla Institute of Technology and the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology at Jadavpur University, utilized a methanolic extract of the leaf-stalk and assessed its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) compared to the standard antibiotic ciprofloxacin. The findings contribute to the understanding of the medicinal properties of turmeric and underline its potential as an antimicrobial agent.
Antimicrobial Efficacy of Curcuma longa
The research highlights that the crude extract of C. longa exhibits significant activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with a more pronounced effect observed in Gram-negative strains at lower concentrations. Specifically, the extract demonstrated varying zones of inhibition, with the most notable effects against Shigella dysenteriae and Escherichia coli. The study employed methodologies such as the serial dilution technique for determining MIC and the disc diffusion method for measuring the zones of inhibition. Ultimately, the results indicate that bioactive compounds in turmeric's leaf-stalk extract may be responsible for its antimicrobial effects, prompting further investigation to isolate these active principles.
Conclusion
The findings of this study affirm Curcuma longa's potential as a source of antimicrobial agents, particularly against pathogenic bacterial strains. The promising results advocate for its use in alternative medicine and as a complementary approach to conventional antibiotic therapies. Additionally, the results pave the way for future research aimed at isolating and characterizing the specific antimicrobial compounds present in the leaf-stalk extract. By expanding the knowledge of turmeric's therapeutic applications, this research could contribute to improved strategies in combating bacterial infections, particularly in an era of increasing antibiotic resistance.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What was the focus of the study on Curcuma longa?
The study investigated the antimicrobial potency of the methanolic extract of Curcuma longa leaf-stalk against various gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains, comparing its effectiveness with the standard antibiotic ciprofloxacin.
How was the extract of Curcuma longa prepared?
The leaf stalks were washed, sundried, and ground into coarse powder. This powder was then extracted using a soxhlet apparatus with methanol, yielding a semi-solid crude extract evaluated for antimicrobial activity.
Which method was used to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC)?
The MIC was measured using the serial dilution technique, where different concentrations of the extract were tested against bacterial strains in nutrient agar plates, observing growth inhibition.
What were the findings regarding antimicrobial activity of the extract?
The results indicated that the crude extract exhibited significant antimicrobial activity, especially against gram-negative bacteria, with the effectiveness decreasing in the order of Shigella dysenteriae, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for 鈥淎ntimicrobial Potency of the Leaf 鈥� Stalk Extract of Curcuma longa (LINN)鈥�. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Curcuma longa:
Curcuma longa is a flowering plant belonging to the ginger family, widely known as turmeric. It is recognized for its culinary and medicinal properties, primarily due to its active compound, curcumin. The research explores its antimicrobial potency, establishing its significance in traditional medicine and potential therapeutic applications.
2) Activity:
In this context, 'activity' refers to the antimicrobial effects exhibited by the extracts of Curcuma longa against various bacterial strains. The study emphasizes the comparative analysis of these biological activities, highlighting the effectiveness of the plant's extracts in inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
3) Antibiotic (Antibacterial):
An antibiotic is a type of medication used to prevent and treat bacterial infections. In the study, ciprofloxacin served as a standard antibiotic for comparison against the antimicrobial activity of Curcuma longa extracts, underscoring the plant's potential as a natural alternative in combating bacterial pathogens.
4) Turmeric:
Turmeric is the common name for Curcuma longa, widely used as a spice and in traditional herbal medicine. Its extracts, containing curcumin and other phytochemicals, are studied for diverse health benefits, including antimicrobial properties, making it an important focus in research on natural remedies.
5) Water:
Water is a critical solvent used in biological and chemical processes. In the study, distilled water is employed to prepare ciprofloxacin solutions. The role of water as a medium for extracting and testing the properties of Curcuma longa reinforces the importance of solvent choice in antimicrobial research.
6) Science (Scientific):
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge through testable explanations and predictions. The research on Curcuma longa epitomizes the scientific inquiry into natural products, aiming to validate their efficacy and exploring their potential as therapeutic agents in healthcare.
7) Gupta (Gupt膩):
Gupta refers to Dr. (Mrs.) C. Sengupta, a contributor acknowledged in the research for her support in conducting the study. Mentioning collaborators emphasizes the collaborative nature of scientific research and the shared efforts of various experts in progressing knowledge regarding the medicinal properties of plants.
8) Discussion:
In scientific literature, 'discussion' refers to the section where results are interpreted, analyzed, and contextualized. This section evaluates the findings related to Curcuma longa's antimicrobial potency, comparing it against antibiotics and discussing implications for its use in clinical applications and future studies.
9) Substance:
Substance refers to a particular kind of matter with distinct properties. In the study, both the leaves and active extracts of Curcuma longa are investigated as substances that may possess antimicrobial properties. Understanding the nature of these substances is essential for identifying their potential therapeutic effects.
10) Cancer:
Cancer represents a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. Although primarily focused on antimicrobial properties, the research acknowledges Curcuma longa's broader therapeutic implications, including its potential anti-cancer effects, which have been explored in various studies on natural products.
11) Ulcer:
An ulcer is a sore that develops on the lining of the stomach or intestines, often requiring medical treatment. Curcuma longa has been studied for its anti-ulcer properties, pointing to its significance in gastrointestinal health and the therapeutic potential of its active compounds.
12) Drug:
A drug is a chemical substance used to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose disease. The study's exploration of Curcuma longa's antimicrobial activity contributes to the broader field of pharmacology, positioning it as a candidate for development into a natural drug with therapeutic applications.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: 鈥�Antimicrobial Potency of the Leaf 鈥� Stalk Extract of Curcuma longa (LINN)鈥�. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Curcuma longa, Active principle, Ancient science, Pharmacognosy, Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), Zones of inhibition, Gram positive, Gram negative, Bacterial strain, Disc diffusion technique, Nutrient agar media, Serial dilution technique, Antimicrobial potency, Pharmaceutical science, Crude extract, Standard antibiotic, Ethylene glycol, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology.