Antimicrobial activity of extracts of Momordica charantia and Alstonia boonei on some bacteria

Abstract

The medicinal plants, Momordica rharantia and Alstonia boonei were examined for antimicrobial activity  against a Gram positive bacterium: Staphylororcus aureus and some Gram negative bacteria; Salmonella  typhi, Proteus 1•ilfgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klehsiella pneumoniae. The active constituents of the leaves of the medicinal plants were extracted with 953 ethanol using the clad maceration method of extraction. Sterilized filter paper disks, 6mm in diameter, were used in evaluating the activity of the plants extracts against viable and pure cultures of the test organisms. Results showed that both medicinal plants exhibited antimicrobial activity against Staph aureus, S. typhi and K. pneumoniae. A. boonei also showed antibacterial activity against P. vulgaris, but this organism was however resistant to M. charantia. P. aeeruginosa -was resistant to both medicinal plants. Although this is a preliminary study, the possible chemotherapeutic usefulness of these two medicinal plants can not be overemphasized.