Saket Saurabh
About 150 million people, mostly women, develop Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) worldwide every year. Women in the age group of 16 to 35 years are more prone to this infection.
The infection affects the lower urinary tract, which includes the bladder and the urethra. Pain in the pelvic region, an increased need to urinate, pain during urination, and blood in the urine are all possible symptoms of a bladder infection. Back discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and fever are all possible symptoms of a kidney infection.
A team led by Dr Rajan Rolta had been conducting research on the efficacy of Bacopa monnieri, popularly known as Brahmi in India, for treating UTIs. The herb has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine, either by itself or in combination with other herbs, as a memory and learning enhancer, sedative, and anti-epileptic. It grows in wet tropical environments, and India is a major producer and supplier of the herb.
Other members of the team include Dr Deeksha Salaria and Dr Jyoti Mehta from Shoolini University, Dr Oladoja Awofisayo from the University of Uyo, and Dr Olatomide Fadare from Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria.
The team investigated the in-vitro and in-silico antibacterial activity of the medicinal plant against the bacteria that are responsible for UTIs. Based on the results of this research, we have discovered that a decoction of Bacopa monnieri and the phytocompounds it contains have the potential to treat UTIs, said Dr Deeksha Salaria, currently employed at the Department of Pharmacology at PGIMER Chandigarh as a Research Associate. Dr Rolta is currently serving as an ICMR-SRF in the pharmacology department at PGIMER in Chandigarh.
In this laboratory investigation, the microorganisms that are responsible for urinary tract infections were subjected to 80 per cent methanol, 96 per cent ethanol, and aqueous extracts of hyssop leaves, all of which were tested for their antibacterial properties. After that, additional screening of the chemical elements of their samples was carried out utilising the procedures that are common.
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