Pharmacognostical Evaluation and Antimicrobial activity of Moringa oleifera Lamk. Leaf

Moringa oleifera Lamk. (Moringaceae) is a very usef ul tree in tropical countries. In folklore and ayurvedic all parts of the tree used in different h ealing procedures for different diseases. The plant leaves are very good nutrient supplement for malnut rition and also used as an antimicrobial agent. The crude aqueous and alcoholic leaf extract of Mor inga oleifera was subjected to phyto-chemical analysis to determine the constituents of the leaf extracts. Results of phyto-chemical analysis showed that the crude extracts contained Carbohydrates, Pr oteins, Resins, Tannin and Alkaloids. The chemical compounds found in these extracts of Morin ga oleifera leaf have good pharmacological properties. The Solubility of Moringa leaf with nin e solvents, results highest in water (32%) and lowest in Hexane (5.0 %) solvent. The antimicrobial activity of the Moringa leaf was assayed against one Gram- positive strains ( Staphylococcus aureus) , two Gram-negative strains (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and five fungal strains of agro-food interest (Penicillium aurantiogriseum, Penicillium expansum, Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium digitatum, and Aspergillus niger spp.). Staphylococcus aureus, E .coli as well as the fungal strains were sensitive to the Moringa leaf extract . The traditional appli cation of the leaf of Moringa oleifera as poultice and decoction may have a scientific or pharmacologi cal basis. These studies provide an evidence to support traditional medicinal uses of the plant.