VEGETOS: Um Jornal Internacional de Pesquisa Vegetal

Phytochemical and medicinal investigations of Momordica charantia

Kafeel Ahmad, Farah Shireen, Mehreen and Shaista Bahar

Phytochemical and medicinal investigations of Momordica charantia

Crude ethanolic extracts of Momordica charantia fruit and seeds were analyzed for antibacterial, antifungal and phytotoxic properties. Antibacterial activity was carried out using well diffusion method. Ethanolic fruits and seeds extract of Momordica charantia were found effective against all bacterial species studied. Momordica charantia fruit and seed extracts showed moderate antifungal activity against Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum and Trichoderma harizanum. From the results obtained it is clear that the extracts of Momordica charantia could further be exploited for isolation of active ingredients which could be utilized in medicinal formulations to develop cheaper natural drugs against bacterial and fungal infections. Crude ethanolic extracts of Momordica charantia also showed moderate phytotoxic activity at a concentration of 1000 μg/L, encouraging their utilization in production of eco-friendly herbicides. .