Investigating the Solubility-driven Antibacterial Mechanisms of Bhasma

The emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens presents a significant public health challenge, as many potent drugs have proven ineffective against these challenging pathogens. This study aims to explore a novel biomaterial-bhasma, for its antibacterial activity, focusing on its solubility index. The solubility of 12 bhasma (ashes) used in Ayurveda, especially Patanjali Ayurved, was thoroughly evaluated. The solubility of these bhasmas was tested in eight different solvents to understand their solubility properties and potential applications in therapeutics. Subsequently, their antibacterial efficacy was tested against multidrug-resistant isolates of Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) using the Kirby - Bauer well diffusion technique. The solubility study recorded distilled water, dimethyl sulfoxide, and ethyl alcohol as the most effective solvents, with 25-75% solubility ranges. In vitro, antibacterial assays demonstrated significant growth inhibition of E. coli at 10 mg/mL with Abhrak (mica), Rajat (silver), Shankh (calcined shell), Sphatika (Alum), Tamra (copper), and Vang (tin) bhasma. Similarly, S. aureus growth was inhibited by Kapardak (conch), Kasis (ferrous sulfate), Rajat (silver), Spahtika (alum), Tamra (copper), and Vang (tin) bhasma in the respective solvents. This study highlights the potential of bhasma as an antibacterial agent, with their solubility in edible solvents paving the way for future development into nano drugs akin to homeopathic decoctions. Further, in vivo studies are necessary to validate these findings and explore their clinical applications. . KEYWORDS :Antibacterial activity, Bhasma, Multidrug-resistant organisms pathogens, Solubility.