Analytical characterization and antifungal activity of Gomutra and Gomutra Arka of Bos indicus cattle
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70066/jahm.v14i9.2933Keywords:
Antifungal activity, Bos indicus, GC-MS, Gomutra, Gomutra Arka, HPTLCAbstract
Background: Gomutra (GM) and its distillate (Gomutra Arka-GMA) are ancient medicines, but modern lifestyles and healthcare systems rely on analytical evidence to validate them. Aim: To determine the biochemical composition and antifungal potential of GM and GMA against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. Methods: The physicochemical composition of GM and GMA was measured according to API standards. Bioactive compound profiling was further performed using HP-TLC and GC-MS. The well diffusion method was used to determine the antifungal potential of GM and GMA against A. niger and C. albicans. Results: Densitometric HP-TLC analysis revealed that, at short-wave (254 nm), dark bands against a green background (fluorescence quenching) indicate the presence of UV-absorbing compounds such as aromatic rings, conjugated double bonds, and phenolic derivatives. At long-wave (360 nm), blue-, green-, pink- and yellow fluorescent bands were observed, indicating the presence of fluorescent constituents in GM and GMA. Furthermore, tentative GC-MS mass profiling identified 61 compounds in GM and GMA. Among them, 57 were common to both samples. The antifungal assay revealed that increasing the percentage of GM and GMA led to progressive expansion of the zone of inhibition (ZOI) against A. niger and C. albicans. Both GM and GMA showed a higher ZOI against C. albicans than A. niger. Impressively, 20% (GA) and 80% (GMA) concentrations yielded ZOI (~11.5 mm and 9.5 mm), corresponding to the standard drug Itraconazole (20 μg/mL) against C. albicans and A. niger, respectively. Conclusion: Although tentative mass profiling demonstrates a high (93.4%) metabolic similarity between crude GM and GMA, the antifungal assessment found that C. albicans and A. niger are more sensitive to GM. These observations might improve the scientific validation of traditional medicines. Further, in vitro experimental validation and clinical validation are essential to ensure safety prior to the development of GM or GMA-based antifungal formulations.
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