Evaluation of Momordica charantia L. and Moringa oleifera L. Leaf Extracts as Natural Antibacterial Agents against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

The present study demonstrated that both Momordica charantia L. and Moringa oleifera L. leaf extracts possess significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Among the tested extracts, ethanolic extracts exhibited greater antibacterial efficacy than aqueous extracts, indicating that ethanol is a more efficient solvent for extracting bioactive phytochemicals responsible for antimicrobial activity. The antibacterial effect of both medicinal plants increased with increasing extract concentration, as confirmed by the disc diffusion assay and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) analysis. Comparative evaluation revealed that Moringa oleifera exhibited stronger antibacterial activity than Momordica charantia against both bacterial species. GLC analysis identified quercetin as the major phytochemical in Momordica charantia and moringin as the predominant bioactive compound in Moringa oleifera, suggesting that these constituents may contribute to the observed antibacterial effects. Although the antibacterial activity of the plant extracts was lower than that of the standard antibiotic, the findings highlight the potential of these medicinal plants as natural sources of antimicrobial agents. Further investigations involving purification of active compounds, toxicity assessment, and in vivo studies are recommended to validate their therapeutic efficacy and support the development of plant-based antibacterial formulations.

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