Antimicrobial and hypoglycemic effects of Momordica balsamina. Linn.

We evaluated the antibacterial, antifungi and hypoglycemic effects of methanol and water (ratio 70 : 30) extract of M. balsamina leaves and stem. Antibacterial and antifungi activities were investigated using the cup bore agar diffusion method; while the hypoglycemic effect was evaluated in alloxan induced diabetic rats. The extract of M. balsamina significantly inhibited Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive), klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram-negative) to varying degrees, but it had no inhibitory effect on fungal species (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Mucor pusillus (fungi), and Candida albicans (yeast). Gentamycin, the standard antibacterial drug used was effective in inhibiting these bacteria. The effect on B. subtilis and E. coli were comparable to that of gentamycin. Ketoconazole, the standard antifungi used was effective against all the fungi and yeast species. The extract of M. balsamina also significantly (P<0.05) reduced blood glucose level in alloxan induced diabetic rats twelve hours after administration. The effect of the extract at 1000mg/kg was comparable to that of the standard drug (chlorpropamide) used. These results support some of the traditional uses of M. balsamina as an antiinfective herb and for the management of diabetic sores.