Protective effects of Rasa Manikya and Rasa Sindura against drug-resistant Salmonell a Typhimurium sepsis in mice

This study investigated the in vitro antibacterial efficacy of classical herbo‑mineral formulations, Rasa Manikya (RM) and Rasa Sindura (RS), and also evaluated their ameliorative potential in combating multidrug‑resistant (MDR) Salmonella Typhimurium -induced sepsis in a murine model. Both RM and RS exhibited dose‑dependent antibacterial activity in agar well diffusion and broth microdilution assays. Oral administration of RM and RS to mice at a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight significantly (p < 0.05) improved clinical scores, restored haematological and biochemical parameters, and moderately reduced bacterial burden in liver, spleen, and kidney, compared to the healthy group. RM and RS treatment also rebalanced hepatic oxidant/antioxidant status and ameliorated histopathological damage in vital organs. Principal Component Analysis revealed a clear shift in treated groups toward normal physiological profiles. Analysis of survival trials using the Log-Rank (Mantel-Cox) test identified significant differences, with treated mice groups- RS (87.25%) and RM (81.25%) showing markedly enhanced survival, compared to untreated controls (50%). The ameliorative effects of RM and RS in a murine sepsis model underscore their potential as alternative therapeutics. However, further studies—particularly those addressing potential toxicity, and pharmacokinetics,—are warranted before any consideration of clinical application.