Antiseptic - Modern and Ayurvedic Concepts

ANTISEPTICS

.Antiseptics are the agents kill or inhibt the growth of microorganisms on the external surfaces of the body.

.They are different from an antibiotic which destroy microorganisms internally and disinfectants which destroy microorganisms found on non living objects.

.Some common antiseptics include alcohol, iodine and hydrogen peroxide.

There is great variation in the ability of antiseptics to destroy microorganisms and in their effects on living tissues.

For example, mercuric chloride is a powerful antiseptic, but it irritates delicate tissue. In contrast silver nitrate kills fewer germs but can be used on the delicate tissues of the eyes and throat.

There is also a great difference in the time required for different antiseptics to work. Iodine, one of the fastest-working antiseptics, kills bacteria within 30 sec.

CLASSIFICATIONS OF ANTISEPTICS

1. Those that denature proteins,2. Those that cause osmotic disruption of

the cell,3. Those that interfere with specific

metabolic processes.

The first and second classifications are tend to kill the organisms.

The third one affects cell growth and reproduction without killing the cell.

Characteristics of an ideal antiseptics

• Chemically stable• Cheap• Non staining• Cidal / destroying spores as well.• Active against all pathogens• Require brief time of exposure• Active even in presence of blood, pus, exudates

and excreta.

An antiseptics in addition

• Rapid in action & exert sustained protection.

• Nonirritating to tissues.

• Nonabsorbale , produce min. toxicity if absorbed.

• Nonsensitizing

• Liberates nascent oxygen which oxidizes necrotic matter & bacteria.

• Helps in loosening & removing slough, ear wax

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

• Rapidly acting , broad-spectrum agent.• Acts by iodinating and oxidizing microbial

protoplasm• Use for cuts, degerming skin before surgery.• High conc. cause burns.

IODINE

ETHANOL:• Antiseptic ,cleansing agent at 40-90% conc.

• Acts by precipitating bacterial proteins.

• Irritant, should not be applied on mucous membrane, ulcers, open wounds.

ALCOHOL

CETRIMIDE:• Detergent action • Act by altering permeability of cell membrane.• Widely use as antiseptics & disinfectant for surgical

instruments.

QUATERNARY AMMONIUM ANTICEPTICS

CHLORHEXIDINE• Acts by disrupting bacterial cell membrane & causes

denaturation of bacterial proteins.

• Nonirritant , more active against gram +ve bacteria

• Used in surgical scrub, neonatal bath, mouth wash & general skin antiseptics.

BIGUANIDES

• Phenol derivative• Does not coagulate proteins• Noncorrosive, nonirritating to skin• Commercial 4.8% solution used for surgical

antiseptics• Skin cream and soap 0.8%• Mouth wash 1%

CHLOROXYLENOL( Dettol)

USESAntiseptic drugs are used in: The treatment of skin infections Prevention of infections in cuts and

wounds Cleaning the skin area of surgery from

microorganisms Proflaxy and treatment of infections in

mucosal areas such as mouth, nose and vagina that are open to environment

As a scrub for surgeans and the medical personnel

SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTISEPTICS Itching Primarily using in vitro models , to be

cytotoxic to cells essential for wound healing process, such as fibroblast, keratinocytes, and leukocytes.

Skin irritation Severe allergic reactions.

THIPHALA AS AN ANTISEPTIC

Triphala made up of three high quality drugs: Amla(indian gooseberry), Harad(terminalia chebula), and baheda( terminalia bellerica)

Triphalachurna was found most potent against all the organism.

The cold and hot extract of triphala churna has good antibacterial effect.

The cold extraction was proportionally effective against each organism in comparision to hot extract.

•It works as antiseptic, antibiotic and rasayana.

•Triphala removes dullness of the intellent and senses(especially eyes)

•Washing wounds with a decoction of triphala prevents the need of using allopathic antiseptics lotions. The wound heals quikly.

•Ethanolic extract of Triphala prepared using cold extract method demonstrated antiseptic property aganist Lactobacilli and Candida albicans.

•It is used in periodontal therapy to control bleeding and reduce inflammation.

•The incorporation of Triphala in mouth rinse could prove to be effective in reducing streptococcus mutans count in the oral cavity.

•This wide range of action of Tripala is supposed to be because of the 47 tannis and 35 phytochemicals which have been isolated from it.

•Triphala mouth rinse in conjunction with scaling and root planing showed statistically significant reduction in the plaque index, gingival index and oral hygine index.

Other Antiseptics in Ayurveda… HARIDRA : It has anti-inflammatory ,

antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral properties. It is used in eye disorders, colon cancer, coughs, conjuntivitis, diabetis, parasities.

AMALAKI: It has antioxidant, diuretic, antiviral, antisepticantipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and antianemic properties.for centuries people use amla to treat a wide rangeillness like hyperacidity, ulcers, colitis, high colestrol.It can prevent cancer and protect the liver, heart, kidney.

BRAMI: It is highly effective aganist diseases like bronchitis, asthma, epilepsy, insomia, hoarseness, arthritis, backacheconstipation, and all kinds of skin problems like eczema, psoriasis, ulcerations.

NEEM: It has antiseptic, antiulcer, antiemetic,antipyretic, antiparasatic properties. This herb is used to treat diabetisjauntice, eye disease, paraplegia, piles.

THULASI: It has demulcent,expectorant, antimicrobial, antiparasatic, antiseptic. Ayurvedic prationers use holybasil to treat a myriad of ailments like arthritis,pain, backpain, influenza, tuberculosis, asthma,malaria.