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Antifungal Activity of Bhurjah Bark Against Human Pathogenic Fungi

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Journal name: Ayushdhara
Original article title: Antifungal Activity of Bhurjah (Betula Utilis d. Don) Bark in Human Pathogenic Fungi
AYUSHDHARA is an international peer-reviewed journal. It focuses on research in Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, Allopathy, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
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Original source:

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Author(s):

Monika Kunwar
Ayurvedic & Unani Tibbia College and Hospital, Karol Bagh, India.
Shalini Varshney
Ayurvedic & Unani Tibbia College and Hospital, Karol Bagh, India.
Sandhya Pal
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi, India.
Meenakshi Sharma
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi, India.
Yogita Munjal
Directorate of AYUSH, GNCTD, Delhi, India.


Ayushdhara:

(A peer-reviewed, bi-monthly open-access journal)

Full text available for: Antifungal Activity of Bhurjah (Betula Utilis d. Don) Bark in Human Pathogenic Fungi

Year: 2024 | Doi: 10.47070/ayushdhara.v11i3.1576

Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA 4.0


Summary of article contents:

Introduction

The study evaluates the antifungal activity of Bhurjah (Betula utilis D. Don) bark against six pathogenic fungal strains using extracts from the bark and essential oil. Various extracts were tested against fungi such as Trichophyton rubrum, Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum fulvum, Aspergillus flavus, Actinomucor elengi, and Candida albicans. The tests were conducted using the agar well diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined through a microbroth dilution approach.

Efficacy of Essential Oil

The research highlighted that the essential oil derived from Bhurjah bark demonstrated significant antifungal activity, particularly against dermatophytes E. floccosum and M. fulvum. The essential oil exhibited greater inhibitory effects compared to fluconazole against the E. floccosum strain, while its activity was nearly on par with fluconazole against M. fulvum. The MIC for both fungal strains was determined to be 2.5% (v/v), indicating that the essential oil holds promising potential as an antifungal agent.

Role of Plant Compounds

An important aspect of the study involved understanding the constituents within Bhurjah bark that contribute to its antimicrobial properties. The bark contains bioactive compounds such as betulin, lupeol, and oleanolic acid, known for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. Essential oils and their terpenoid components, such as caryophyllene, have shown to disrupt microbial cell membranes and inhibit fungal growth. This complexity of the essential oil composition suggests a synergistic effect that enhances its antifungal efficacy.

Conclusion

The findings confirm that Bhurjah essential oil possesses notable antifungal properties, particularly against the dermatophyte strains E. floccosum and M. fulvum. Given the increasing prevalence of antifungal resistance, the use of natural products like Bhurjah may offer effective alternative treatment options. The study underscores the importance of exploring plant-based remedies in developing novel antifungal therapies to combat resistant strains, reinforcing the potential of traditional medicine in modern healthcare practices.

FAQ section (important questions/answers):

What is the aim of the study on Bhurjah bark?

The study aims to evaluate the antifungal activity of Bhurjah (Betula utilis D.Don) bark against six fungal strains using water extracts, alcohol extracts, and essential oils.

What were the main findings regarding Bhurjah essential oil?

The study found that Bhurjah essential oil showed significant antifungal activity against two fungal strains, E. floccosum and M. fulvum, with MIC values of 2.5% (v/v).

How were the antifungal activities tested in the study?

The antifungal activities were tested using the Agar well diffusion method and Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) were determined using a microbroth dilution method.

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Antifungal Activity of Bhurjah Bark Against Human Pathogenic Fungi�. 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) Delhi:
Delhi is where Ayurvedic & Unani Tibbia College and Hospital is located, which is one of the institutions involved in the research. It is also the region where the study on Betula utilis took place.

2) India:
India is the country where the researchers are based and where the study on the antifungal activity of Betula utilis (Bhurjah) bark was conducted. The research involved institutions from different parts of India, including Uttarakhand and Delhi.

3) Betula:
Betula refers to the genus of the Himalayan birch tree, specifically Betula utilis, whose bark was studied for its antifungal properties against human pathogenic fungi. The bark, referred to as Bhurjah, has a history of therapeutic use in Ayurveda.

4) Sharman (Sarma, Sharma, Sarman):
Sharma refers to two authors involved in the study. Meenakshi Sharma is from the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi, and contributed significantly to the research on Betula utilis.

5) Tree:
Tree refers to the Himalayan birch (Betula utilis), which is a medium-sized tree reaching heights of up to 20 meters. The bark of this tree was used in the study to evaluate its antifungal activity.

6) Drug:
The study on Betula utilis bark aims to explore its potential as a new antifungal drug, particularly in light of growing resistance to current antifungal agents. This could offer alternative treatments to antifungal resistance in pathogenic fungi.

7) New Delhi:
New Delhi is a part of Delhi where significant research institutions, including the Directorate of AYUSH and Ayurvedic & Unani Tibbia College, are located. These institutions were integral to the study on Betula utilis.

8) Meenakshi:
Meenakshi refers to Dr. Meenakshi Sharma, one of the co-authors of the study, who works at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi. She contributed research efforts towards exploring the antifungal properties of Bhurjah bark.

9) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda is an ancient traditional medical system that has been used for centuries in India. Betula utilis bark has been used in Ayurveda for its therapeutic benefits, including the treatment of dermatophytosis and other fungal infections.

10) Sandhya (Shandhya, Samdhya):
Sandhya refers to Sandhya Pal, another author of the study, affiliated with the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi. She received fellowship support and contributed to the research on the antifungal activity of Betula utilis bark.

11) Family:
Family refers to Betulaceae, the family to which Betula utilis (Himalayan birch) belongs. Members of this botanical family contain compounds like betulin and lupeol that exhibit antimicrobial activities.

12) Animal:
[see source text or glossary: Animal]

13) Ayus (Ayush):
Ayush refers to the Directorate of AYUSH, an organization involved in the promotion and development of traditional healthcare systems in India, including Ayurveda. The research on Betula utilis was supported by scientists from this directorate.

14) Glass:
Glass tubes were used during the preparation of ethanol and water extracts from the coarse powder of Bhurjah bark. These extracts were tested for antifungal activity against various human pathogenic fungi.

15) Bagh:
Bagh refers to Karol Bagh, a locality in Delhi where the Ayurvedic & Unani Tibbia College and Hospital is situated. This institution was actively involved in the research on the antifungal properties of Betula utilis bark.

16) Dravyaguna (Dravya-guna):
Dravyaguna is a department at the Ayurvedic & Unani Tibbia College, involved in the research study. Dr. Rajesh Sharma, the HOD of this department, supported the investigation into the antifungal activity of Bhurjah bark.

17) Discussion:
Discussion refers to the section in research where results are interpreted. This study's discussion highlights how Betula utilis essential oil exhibited antifungal properties due to its complex mixture of secondary metabolites, like terpenes.

18) Medicine:
The term medicine in the study denotes the potential of Betula utilis essential oil to be developed into antifungal medications for treating infections caused by fungi like E. floccosum and M. fulvum.

19) Kushtha (Kustha):
Kushtha is an Ayurvedic term connected to skin diseases. Betula utilis is described as Kushtha in Ayurvedic literature, indicating its potential efficacy against fungal infections and other skin-related ailments.

20) Disease:
[see source text or glossary: Disease]

21) Mineral:
Mineral refers to the resources listed in Ayurveda's Materia Medica, but the focus of this study was more on plant-based resources like Betula utilis bark for its antifungal properties.

22) Aureus:
[see source text or glossary: Aureus]

23) Forest:
Forest corresponds to the natural habitat of Betula utilis, which is found in forested regions of the Himalayan range, extending to an altitude of about 4200 meters.

24) Weapon:
Weapon metaphorically describes essential oils, including Betula utilis essential oil, which act as potent agents against pathogenic microbes such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses due to their complex bioactive compounds.

25) Purity:
Purity refers to the essential oil of Bhurjah used in the study, which had a measured purity of 90%. Ensuring high purity was crucial for assessing its antifungal properties accurately.

26) Insect:
Essential oils, including those derived from Betula utilis, not only have antifungal properties but also provide defense against insects due to their volatile and non-volatile elements.

27) Powder:
Powder refers to the finely ground bark of Betula utilis that was used to prepare ethanol and water extracts. This preparation was essential for testing the antifungal activity of the bark.

28) Death:
Death in this context refers to the cell death of fungi caused by the antifungal properties of Betula utilis essential oil, which disrupts the cell membranes and inhibits sporulation and germination.

29) Hair:
Hair is mentioned in the context of fungal infections that can affect various body parts, including the hair, and Betula utilis essential oil has shown activity against dermatophytes that cause such infections.

Other Science Concepts:

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Discover the significance of concepts within the article: �Antifungal Activity of Bhurjah Bark Against Human Pathogenic Fungi�. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:

Essential oil, Comparative analysis, Minimum inhibitory concentration, Antifungal activity, Inhibition zone, Agar well diffusion method, Natural bioactive compounds, Bacterial pathogen, Triterpenoid, Human pathogenic fungi, Volatile elements.

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