Abstract:
Triphala decoction is a therapeutic agent used in the form of Ashchyotana (eye drops) for acute
conjunctivitis. The antibacterial assay was performed according to the standard Antibiotic
Sensitivity Test (ABST) for Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Candida
albicans using chloramphenicol and uconazole as positive controls. The test drug, Triphala
decoction, was prepared by boiling dry samples of Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica and
Phyllanthus emblica 20g each, in 1920ml of water and reducing it to 240ml. Based on the results
of ABST, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Lethal Concentration
(MLC) against S. aureus was determined by using a concentration series ranging from 3 X 50 μl
to12 X 50 μl of Triphala decoction with 100μl of S. aureus in 10ml of nutrient broth. The
volumes were equalized up to 11ml using sterilized distilled water. After an overnight,
incubation at 37OC, 500μl from each concentration was plated using pour-plate technique and
incubated overnight at 37OC. To determine the MLC, a loopful of each concentration was
streaked on Nutrient Agar plates and incubated overnight at 37OC. According to the results, S.
aureus was sensitive to Triphala decoction making an inhibition zone diameter (IZD) of 18mm,
while the readings for the other species were in the intermediate range of 17mm for E.coli and
13mm for P. aeruginosa. MRSA strain was resistant to the test drug making IZD 11mm and no
inhibition zone was observed for Candida albicans. The MIC and MLC for S. aureus were of the
same concentration (6 X 50μl) showing zero growth after that point. It can be concluded that
Triphala ashchotana is effective in controlling acute conjunctivitis caused by S. aureus and the
dosage required is 6 X 50 μl (6 drops). Triphala can also be used as a prophylactic agent against
acute conjunctivitis.
