Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 1997; 2: 193–4
Teensal is a nontoxic topical Ayurvedic medicine from bitter Almond shells (Prunus amygdalus). Although its in vitro antibacterial efficacy is known, its role in ocular infections is still unexplored. We therefore tested different isolates from bacterial keratitis cases to see the potential efficacy of Teensal as a topical ocular antibacterial agent.
The isolates obtained were Ps. aeruginosa, S. epidermidis, S. aureus, E. coli and Pr. mirabilis, all of which were isolated from 338 eyes of bacterial keratitis. Whatman no. 1 filter paper discs (6 mm) soaked with 0.01 ml of crude (undiluted) as well as various dilutions of Teensal (1:10 to 1:80) were used in a disc diffusion method. Various other antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, cloxacilin, amikacin, amoxycillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol and polymyxin B were also similarly tested. In vivo experiments were done by instillation of undiluted drops QID × 40 days in 6 healthy rabbit eyes, and experimentally induced Ps. aeruginosa ulcers in three further rabbit eyes as a pilot study.
Isolates sensitive only to the undiluted (crude) drug were 56/60 (93.3%) Ps. aeruginosa, 72/100 (72%) S. epidermidis, 60/90 (66.7%) S. aureus, 58/58 (100%) E. coli and 30/30(100%) Pr. mirabilis. The antibacterial efficacy of Teensal in its crude form was either superior or comparable to other antibiotics, tested for both Gram –ve and Gram +ve ocular pathogens isolated. Crude extract of Teensal instilled into the living rabbit eye proved harmless. In experimental Pseudomonas corneal ulcers, 1:20 Teensal drops proved more efficacious than even ciprofloxacin.
The comparative efficacy of Teensal in vitro and in vivo makes it promising and safe as a topical instillation in bacterial keratitis, and worthy of a trial in human eyes.
