Pahari cow urine: A potent bioenhancer

Cow, often called Kamadhenu, has been considered as a sacred animal in India. Cow urine distillate is more effective as a bioenhancer than cow urine, and increases the effectiveness of antimicrobial drugs. The present study was undertaken to determine the bioenhancer activity of 5% butanol fraction (10μl) of Pahari cow urine distillate with 10μl of 5% Seabuckthorn (Hippophae salicifolia) leaves extract. The Butanol fraction was obtained by complete evaporation of cow urine in the distillation assembly and thereafter extraction of the concentrate with butanol. The antimicrobial activity was tested against the clinically pathogenic gram positive (Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative (Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria by measuring the zone of inhibition by disc diffusion method. Marked inhibition of both gram positive and gram negative bacteria was observed, whereas an increase in 13–60% and 13 63% activity was observed for gram positive bacteria and gram negative bacteria, respectively. Maximum bioenhancer activity (a zone of 16 mm) was observed against Streptococcus agalactiae as against 9 mm zone when tested for Seabuckthorn only. The study concludes that the Butanol fraction of cow urine distillate has bioenhancer activity against clinically pathogenic microorganisms.