Evaluation of the Phytochemical Composition and Antibacterial Efficacy of Momordica balsamina and Luffa aegyptiaca Leaf Extracts

Muhammad Shehu Giwa; Basira Ibrahim; Fatima Musa; Emad M. Abdallah

doi:10.53941/jmnp.2025.100002

Abstract

The current study evaluated the antibacterial activities of methanol leaf extracts from Momordica balsamina and Luffa aegyptica against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, and Escherichia coli. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins, while anthraquinones were absent. Both extracts demonstrated significant antibacterial activity, particularly against Gram-negative bacteria (S. typhi), with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) as low as 12.5 mg/mL and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of 25 mg/mL for M. balsamina, and MIC of 12.5 mg/mL and MBC of 50 mg/mL for L. aegyptica. These findings suggest that these plants have potential as sources of antibacterial agents, warranting further pharmaceutical investigation.

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