Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre (Fabaceae) extract is known for its antimicrobial potential. Pongamia has been described as having antibacterial as well as antifungal activity. The antifungal and antibacterial activity of this herb is attributed to Pongarotene, a rotenoid and karanjin, a known flavonol.1 Pongamia, or karanja has traditionally been prescribed for cutaneous affections and vaginal discharges.2

In an evaluation of the antibacterial activity of Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) and Neem (Azadirachta indica) seed oil in vitro against 14 strains of pathogenic bacteria, 57.14% and 21.42% of the pathogens were found to be inhibited at 500 microl/ml; 14.28% and 71.42% at 125 microl/ml; and 28.57% and 7.14% at 250 microl/ml of Karanj and Neem oils, respectively. Both the oils exhibited bactericidal activity. This activity could be attributed to the inhibition of cell-membrane synthesis in the bacteria.3 A study determined the antimicrobial activity of different extracts of Pongamia pinnata. Extracts of petroleum ether and ethyl acetate from seeds exhibited maximum inhibition zone on Bacillus subtilis and the leaf extracts had comparable activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The bark extract of petroleum ether exhibited a zone of inhibition on Escherichia coli.4 Another study assessed the antibacterial activity of the seed extracts of Pongamia pinnata Linn. Pongamia exhibited good bactericidal activity against several pathogens, with the maximum activity manifested on Pseudomonas aeruginosa.5 Yet another study revealed that Pongamia extracts had potential antibacterial effect against B. subtilis ATCC6633, S. aureus ATCC6538, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC19118, L. monocytogenes ATCC19166, P. aeruginosa ATCC6432 and Salmonella typhimurium ATCC2512. The chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts exhibited significantly higher antibacterial activity as compared to streptomycin.6

A study revealed that Pongamia extracts inhibited the growth of six potential pathogenic bacteria including E. coli, B. cereus, B. subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, S. aureus and Enterobacter aerogenes.7

Pongamia is an herb with potent antibacterial activity against several pathogenic bacteria, and thus, can be used in fighting bacterial infections. Pongamia extracts have natural and broad spectrum antibacterial activity and can be used in the treatment of various bacterial infections.

References

1. Patil U. Antifungal activity of karanja (Pongamia glabra) on medically important clinical isolates of Candida fungi. IJAAR 2017;III(1):43-47.
2. Khare CP. Indian Herbal Remedies: Rational Western Therapy, Ayurvedic and Other Traditional Usage, Botany. Springer, Germany; 2004.
3. Baswa M, Rath CC, Dash SK, Mishra RK. Antibacterial activity of Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) and Neem (Azadirachta indica) seed oil: a preliminary report. Microbios. 2001;105(412):183-9.
4. Ujwal P, Kumar MPMP, Naika HR, Hosetti BB. Antimicrobial activity of different extracts of Pongamia pinnata. Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Science and Biotechnology 2007;1(2):285-7.
5. Rani MS, Dayanand CD, Shetty J, et al. Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Pongamia pinnata linn on Pathogens of Clinical Isolates. American Journal of Phytomedicine and Clinical Therapeutics. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Pradeep_Vegi2/publication/259055352_American_Journal_of_Phytomedicine_and_Clinical_Therapeutics_Evaluation_of_Antibacterial_Activity_of_Pongamia_pinnata_linn_on_Pathogens_of_Clinical_Isolates/links/00b49529dbcae3688d000000.pdf.
6. Bajpai VK, Rahman A, Shukla S, et al. Antibacterial activity of leaf extracts of Pongamia pinnata from India. Pharmaceutical Biology 2009;47(12):1162-7.
7. Kagithoju S, Godishala V, Pabba SK, et al. Anti bacterial activity of flower extract of pongamia pinnata linn. ­ An elite medicinal plant. Int J Pharm Pharm Sci 2012;4(3):130­2.