CURCUMA LONGA AND ALLIUM SATIVUM AS PREBIOTICS

JAYA VIKAS KURHEKAR

Department of Microbiology, Dr. Patangrao Kadam College, Sangli 416416, Maharashtra, India.
Email: jaya_kurhekar@rediffmail.com

ABSTRACT:The present study deliberates on the possible applications of two antimicrobially very significant spices, Curcuma
longa and Allium sativum as probiotics or pre-biotics. Beneficial effects of prebiotics or probiotics are known when used
separately or together, in the form of synbiotics. Aqueous extract of Curcuma longa, is found antimicrobially effective against
four Gram positive and five Gram negative pathogenic isolates tested while that of Allium sativum against three Gram positive and
five Gram negative isolates. Both showed the presence of pharmacologically active ingredients. Management of these natural
bioresources, having umpteen applications in various fields, as antimicrobial agents, probiotics or pre-biotics, with reference to
their protection, conservation, cultivation and propagation may prove beneficial to mankind.

Keywords:Probiotic, prebiotic; synbiotic; aqueous extract; Curcuma longa; Allium sativum; antimicrobial activity; bioresource.

INTRODUCTION: bioresources, which have significant medicinal applications

Prebiotics are nondigestible feed ingredients that can
positively affect the animal by stimulating the activity and
growth of beneficial native bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract
and eliminate the pathogenic ones. A probiotic is a culture of
live microorganisms that can manipulate and maintain a
beneficial microflora in the gut. They have shown beneficial
effects when used separately or simultaneously in the form of
synbiotics, to obtain enhanced mutual effect. These
supplements have been proposed with success, as alternatives
to antibiotic growth-promoting feed additives. Their potential
mechanism of action in the live organism and effects of these
supplements in poultry nutrition has been noted (Alloui
Szczurek and Świątkiewicz, 2013). The use of nutraceutical
supplements by patients with gastrointestinal disorders is
growing. 50% of patients with digestive disorders have been
reported to use supplements. Clinical trials have demonstrated
the efficacy of nutraceutical supplements for Inflammatory
bowel disease. Prebiotics, Curcuma longa, Allium sativum,
along with others have been shown to be superior to placebo
and in some cases equal to standard medical therapy in
randomized trials (Mullin and Swift, 2007)
India has been blessed with ample of natural resources, rich,
varied flora and fauna, medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs)
whose significance is enhanced because of increasing
population, standard of living and potential carcinogenic
hazards exhibited by synthetic chemicals. Medicinal plants are
significant due to their inherent, distinct, chemical, biological
properties, easy availability, minimum side effects and cost-
effectiveness. Maharashtra, because of its geographical
location and suitable climate, is fit for cultivation of majority
of MAPs (Baskar and Chezhiyan, 2002), which are being used
up at a high rate and thus have to be maintained and preserved.
WHO encourages, recommends and promotes the inclusion of
herbal drugs in national health care programs (Khan and
Khanum, 2002). MAPs have provided a good source of anti-
infective agents; emetine, quinine, and berberine as highly
effective instruments in the fight against microbial infections.
Alkaloids and flavonoids present in many fruits, vegetables
and have a major role in prevention of several forms of cancers,
cardiovascular diseases and intractable infectious diseases
including opportunistic AIDS infections. Two such natural
are routinely used spices, Curcuma longa (haladi) and Allium
sativum (lasoon). This investigation has been carried out, with
reference to their antimicrobial effects, phyto-chemical
constituents in aqueous extracts and their prospective
implications of use as prebiotics Management of these natural
bioresources with reference to their protection, conservation,
cultivation and propagation will definitely prove beneficial to
mankind.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
Preparation of extract: Known amount of fresh rhizomes of
Curcuma longa (17 gm %) and bulblets of Allium sativum (3.4
gm %) were collected, washed with sterile distilled water,
crushed in a grinder, in distilled water and the extracts filtered
through Whatman no. 40 filter paper. The fine powders
obtained on shadow drying were then used as samples for
investigation (Bambode and Shukla, 1973) after dilution to
about 50% with sterile distilled water.
Microorganisms used: Fourteen clinical isolates were used
for this study (courtesy: Department of Microbiology,
Government Medical College, Miraj).
Gram positive :- Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus,
Streptococcus species, Sarcina lutea.
Gram negative :- Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae,
Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi B, Shigella
flexneri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris and
Serratia marsescens. Fungal cultures :- Candida albicans
and Asergillus niger
Anti-microbial activity was studied using agar-cup
diffusion assay method (Finegold, 1986) for plant extracts
and standard antibiotics.
Preliminary qualitative phyto-chemical investigation was
carried out for both the extracts using standard tests and
reagents for the presence of various active groups like
glucose, proteins, fats, alkaloids, sterols, triterpenoids,
flavonoids, tannins and glycosides.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS :
The aqueous extract of Curcuma longa was found effective in
inhibiting the growth of eight isolates; Gram positive Bacillus
subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus fecalis, one

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fungal pathogen Candida albicans and five Gram negative
isolates, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Shigella flexneri,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, as concluded
from the zone sizes. The aqueous extract of Allium sativum was
found effective in inhibiting the growth of three Gram positive
strains, B. subtilis, S. aureus, Streptococcus species and five
Gram negative isolates, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, S. typhi, S.
flexneri & Ps. aeruginosa while fungal pathogens were found
resistant.
Preliminary qualitative chemical investigation of aqueous
extract of Curcuma longa showed the presence of reducing
sugars, fats, triterpenoids, alkaloids and HPTLC analysis
showed peaks corresponding to coumarins and triterpenoids.
Aqueous extract of Allium sativum showed the presence of
glucose, proteins, fats, alkaloids and triterpenoids.
When compared with standard antibiotics, the antimicrobial
activity of aqueous extract of C. longa was found more than
that of antibiotic Ciprofloxacin and A. sativum equipotent to
Norfloxacin.
Haladi and garlic have been used in kitchen as spices since
very olden times. They were basically used for their typical
colour and flavor as accompaniments for curries. Today, their
antimicrobial potencies have been proved and they have been
proved equipotent to some of the antibiotics used for curing
infections. Their probable use as prebiotics is attracting a lot of
attention. Curcuma longa is rich in Vitamin A. It is used to
expel gases, flatulence, gripping pains from the stomach, alters
the process of nutrition, excretion, restoring the normal
functions of the body. It is used to treat bronchitis, diarrhea,
intermittent fever, abnormal accumulation of fluids in cellular
tissue, jaundice and liver problems. It is also used against
chest-pain, cold, diabetes, anti-snake and scorpion bite,
scabies, itch, pustules of smallpox, chicken-pox and measles,
anti-cough, mucous, treatment of urinary diseases, healing
wounds, worms, sprains, rheumatism and pain of the facial
nerves. Rhizome is externally used as a powder, paste, lotion or
oil, ointment, decoction (Sawant, 1974, Kurian, 2001). Fresh
haldi contains curcumin, alkalies, essential (anti-septic) oil,
ketone, alcohol. Zingiberine, Carmin (antacid) (Sawant, 1974,
Joe, Vijaykumar and Lokesh, 2004). Extracts of turmeric
(Sastri, 1952) have been reported as antioxidants of non-
enzymatic category, known to exhibit significant anti-
inflammatory and potential antioxidant activity (Salimath et
al. 1986; Chawla et al. 1987, Bone, 1991, Kaushik and
Dhiman, 2000). One of the ingredients of a herbal facial scrub,
it is found comparable with popularly used marketed scrub,
showing excellent effects on acne, healing and prevention of
pimples, giving fairness, smoother complexion, helping
exfoliation (Rawat, and Laila, 2005).
Curcumin, the yellow pigment of turmeric, a major ingredient
of Indian curry has shown a wide range of immunomodulatory
and anti-inflammatory effects. When given orally, was
reported to benefit patients with proctitis and Coronary
disease. The relapse rate at six months on therapy was greater
for the placebo group than for those who took curcumin. Thus,
curcumin may confer some additional therapeutic advantages
when used in combination with conventional anti-
inflammatory medications (Mullin and Swift, 2007). This
prebiotic activity of Curcumin has been observed in present
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study.
Allium sativum exhibits differential inhibition between
pathogenic and beneficial bacteria, specifically probiotic
bifidobacteria. Susceptibility of bifidobacteria to antibacterial
activity of garlic was observed and thus caution is advised
when using probiotic bifidobacteria and garlic simultaneously
(Booyens and Thantsha, 2013). The studies on effects of garlic
extract and a probiotic on growth performance, intestinal
tissue morphology and microbial flora in broilers showed
their probable use as natural growth promoters for broilers.
(Shargh et al.2012).
A feeding trial conducted to investigate the effect of periodical
use of garlic on performance and carcass characteristics in
broiler chickens, showed that 1 and 3% supplemented groups
had better performance as compared with other groups.
(Raeesi et al. 2010). Allium sativum, fed at increasing
concentrations through feed for 14 days to rainbow trout,
Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), led to control of
experimental infection with Aeromonas hydrophila and
showed a reduction in mortalities to 4% compared with the
controls (88%). There was a significant increase in growth,
feed conversion, protein efficiency, stimulation of the number
of erythrocytes and leucocytes, a significantly higher
haematocrit, enhancement of phagocytic activity, respiratory
burst, lysozyme, anti-protease and bactericidal activities
following feeding with garlic (Nya and Austin, 2009).
Antihyperlipidemia or hypocholesterolaemic and
antibacterial activities of garlic are well known. To determine
the effect of the dietary spices ingested to suppress blood
lipids on the intestinal condition, plasma lipid levels and cecal
microflora in mice fed with diets containing garlic showed
suppression of Plasma triacylglyceride level and lowered
cecal bacteroidaceae, a predominant bacterial group,
bifidobacteria and staphylococci suggesting that they can
affect the intestinal condition and host health through the
disturbance of intestinal microflora (Kuda and Yano, 2004).
Performance of calves was evaluated by measuring weight
gain, feed efficiency and fecal scores. and results suggest that
antibiotics in milk replacers in calves can be replaced with
compounds such as probiotics and allicin to obtain similar calf
performance. (Donovan et al. 2002). Since conventional
supplements are known for their negative impact on the food
chain, poultry researchers and nutritionists are looking for
viable alternative feed additives Natural herbs and plants have
been widely advocated due to their reported widespread
beneficial effects. Allium sativum is one such potential feed
supplement which has recently been reported as having a wide
range of beneficial effects on growth, feed efficiency, egg
production and quality, as well as stimulation of immune
system and lowering blood cholesterol levels in poultry birds,
production performance and physiological biochemistry of
broilers and laying hens (Khan et al. 2012). Consequences of
inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents and some of the
alternative approaches to treating infectious diseases have led
to the possible use of naturally occurring antimicrobials (plant
essential oils) and probiotics. Antimicrobial resistance crisis
has led to a renewed interest in this area (Riley, 2011).
However, rigorous human trials are necessary for possible use
of these pro and prebiotics in controlling of infections,
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stimulation of immune system and lowering blood cholesterol
levels. These spices probably kill intestinal pathogens,
decreasing bacterial load and stabilizing intestinal flora.
Moreover, these spices are digestible and do not show any
harmful side effects, which add a feather in the cap, for their
probable use as prebiotics.
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