ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS AND ETHANOL EXTRACTS OF MOMORDICA CHARANTIA L. LEAVES

Resistant strains of microorganisms occur continuously, requiring the constant search and development of new antibacterial and antifungal agents. Studies completed to date highlight activities of Momordica charantia extracts that have hypoglycemic, antihyperglycemic, anthelmintic, antimalarial, antirheumatic, antiulcer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumour properties. The aqueous and ethanol extracts from M charantia sprouts and leaves at different concentrations (lot A aqueous extract: 6.50 mg/mL, 4.33 mg/mL, 3.25 mg/mL, 4.26 mg/mL; lot B ethanol extract: 6.30 mg/mL, 4.20 mg/mL, 3.15 mg/mL, 2.52 mg/mL) were tested against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecalis); Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and a fungus (Candida albicans). The nutrient agar and potato dextrose agar culture media were used during the study. The Kirby Bauer method was used. Sterilized filter paper discs were impregnated with 10 mu L of different concentrations of DMSO-diluted extracts. The bacterial plates were incubated at 37 degrees C for 24 h, whereas plates for yeast were incubated at 30 degrees C for 48 h. The zone of inhibition was then measured using a scale and the antimicrobial activity was calculated. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of M charantia presented an antimicrobial effect at the tested concentrations. The M charantia aqueous extract antimicrobial effect determined based on inhibition radius values decreases in the case of the analysed species of microorganisms as follows: Streptococcus pyogenes > Candida albicans > Enterococcus faecalis > Staphilococcus aureus > Pseudomonas aeruginosa > Escherichia coli. The M charantia ethanol extract antimicrobial effect decreases in the case of the analysed species of microorganisms as follows: Escherichia coli > Streptococcus pyogenes > Candida albicans > Enterococcus faecalis > Staphilococcus aureus > Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Studies confirm the antibacterial and antifungal effects of M charantia aqueous and ethanol extracts. The antimicrobial activity is solvent dependent with ethanol extract being more potent than aqueous extract. Also, the plant demonstrated low MIC values for both aqueous and ethanol extracts which are very important for the evaluation of antimicrobial activity. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of M charantia may be used as a potential source for the development of an effective antimicrobial agent.