Investigation on the bioeffects of ethanol extracts of leaf and stem of <i>Momordica charantia</i> on clinical straing of <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Staphlococcus aureas</i>

Abstract

The bio-effects of the ethanol extracts from the leaf and stem of Momordica charantia were studied with the view to ascertain the medical usefulness ascribed to the plant by the locals. The plant parts, stem and leaf, revealed remarkable activity against Escherichia coli and Staphlococcus aureas. The leaves extracts showed activity at a concentration as low as 10mg/ml against E. coli and 15mg/ml against S. aureus. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) ranges from 10- 15mg/ml while Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) from 30-45mg/ml. The activity of these extracts compared favourably with those of standard antibiotics, Tetracyclines (0.33mg) and Ampicillin (10μg), used in this study. The phytochemical analysis of the extracts showed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides and steroids. The presence of these chemicals in the extracts may have been responsible for the activity possessed by the plant extracts.

Keywords: Bioeffects, Ethanol extracts, Clinical strains, Momordica charantia