Comparing turmeric extract plus animal butter synthetic poultice effect in two home-based and aseptic-based preparation methods in terms of microbial load

Zahra Tazakori, Mansoureh Karimollahi, Zahra Haghighi, Mansoureh Karimollahi

Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 2017 10(6):1686-1690

Background and Objective: Based on increase in individuals' inclinations toward the use of natural and traditional products in curing some diseases in a systemic and localized manner, the survey of the pathogenic factors which are transferred through such products is of a great importance from the health perspectives. Furthermore, because the emergence of infections due to nonstandard method of preparing some of these natural drugs has not been accurately determined, a poultice mixture consisting of turmeric extract and animal butter was compared in two home-based and aseptic-based preparation methods in terms of microbial load and their effects on the process of pressure ulcer healing is investigated in this study. Materials and Methods: In this study, two poultice mixtures were initially prepared in a home-based method and the other under aseptic conditions, transferred to the laboratory where the specimens were cultured under sterile conditions, in microbe-culturing plates under microbiological hood with a dilution rate of 1–10. After the specified time duration elapsed, the plates containing the culture media were evaluated in terms of bacterial and fungal growth. To prepare a poultice based on standardized methods, turmeric was sufficiently bought from the medicinal herbs market and then put in ethanol 95% v/v. Animal butter underwent separation during a 24 h period in rotary evaporation device under reduced condensation pressure, and after its water was oozed out in 70°C, the concentrate was placed in the incubator. Turmeric extract and animal butter were mixed under bacteriology hood with sterilized wheat flour in autoclave. Finally, the poultice prepared aseptically was tested on seven human specimens and the results were evaluated using pressure ulcer scale for healing (PUSH). Results: Based on the experiments, the homemade poultice mixture was found contaminated with Gram-positive microbial factors, but when the poultice mixture was prepared seven times in the laboratory, no microbial load was found (above USP standard). The mean area of the ulcer was 13.41 before the study, but in the last evaluation, value decreased to 2.21. PUSH mean score from the 1st day until the 4th week reduced from 13.42 to 5.85. It was shown that the ulcer recovery trend decreased considerably. Furthermore, regarding the tissue surveys through observing the samples at the end of intervention, it was seen that the ulcer was free of necrosis and granulated tissues were visible on the ulcer. Conclusion: The aseptic specimen was found in an standard level in terms of microbial load and practically caused effective recovery of the pressure ulcer through increasing the circulation in blood veins, reducing the secretions and edema, and is not indicative of traces of any infection; thus the consumption of this poultice was recognized as safe in improving the pressure ulcers.

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