Antimicrobial And Antiplasmodial Effects Of Momordica balsamina

Abstract

The MeOH extracts of whole M. balsamina was active against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi and not effective against Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus niger. Malarial curative test with Plasmodium- berghei berghei parasitized albino mice exhibited survival periods (± SD days) of 20.60 ± 1.67 and 19.20 ± 1.79 at 100 mgKg^-1 and 50mgKg^-1 body weights respectively. These were compared with chloroquine phosphate (5mgKg^-1 BW) 25.08 ± 1.48 and normal saline (20mlKg^-1 BW) 7.60 ± 0.89.

Key words: Antimicrobial, Antiplasmodial, Momordica balsamina, Cucurbitaceae

Nig. J. Nat. Prod. and Med. Vol.8 2004: 11-12