IJSRST1845433 | Received : 05 April 2018 | Accepted : 20 April 2018 | March-April-2018 [ (4) 5 : 1710-1716] © 2018 IJSRST | Volume 4 | Issue 5 | Print ISSN: 2395-6011 | Online ISSN: 2395-602X Themed Section: Science and Technology 1710 Comparative Antibacterial and Antioxidant activity from root and fruit extracts of Momordica charantia L. and Momordica dioica Roxb M. Anjamma, N. Lakshmi Bhavani* Department of Botany, University College of Science, Saifabad, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana, India ABSTRACT Momordica charantia L. and Momordica dioica Roxb are perennial climbing creepers belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae and generally used as vegetables in Southern India, Bengal, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. In the present study the methanolic extract of fruits and roots of M. charantia and M. dioica were analyzed for the presence of different phytochemical constituents. The extracts were also used for screening of antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The activities of the compounds were compared with standard strain for antibacterial properties and the solvent extracts indicated that the compounds are active in exhibiting antibacterial role. Fruits and roots of M. charantia and M. dioica exhibited potent antioxidant activity by inhibiting DPPH free radicals which indicates the root and fruit extracts are very good source of natural antioxidant agent. The antibacterial activity of fruit extract was more than the root extract for both gram negative and gram positive bacteria. M. charantia and M. dioica exhibited potent antioxidant activity by inhibiting DPPH free radicals which indicate the fruit and root extracts of both plant materials can be used as an accessible source of natural antioxidant agent. Key words : Momordica charantia, Momordica dioica, Root, Fruit extracts, Antibacterial, Antioxidant activity. I. INTRODUCTION Plants have been an integral part of human civilization. Medicinal plants have also been relied upon by over 80% of the world population for their basic health care needs (Sabir et al., 2007). Momordica dioica Roxb. is a perennial, rhizomatous, dioecious climber belonging to cucurbitaceae family. This is a seasonal vegetable of high demand and medicinal plant in Asian countries. This species is indigenous and because of its higher medicinal importance it is also cultivated throughout the world (Joseph, 2005). Spine gourd has various vernacular names in different regional languages of India viz; Akakara, Bodakakara, Kakor, Dharkarela, Batkarila, Kartoli, Aegaravalli and Vahisi (Bawara et al., 2010). Fruits of spine gourd are free from cholesterol and are highly energetic with adequate amount of water, protein and important minerals and vitamins (Ram et al., 2004; Aberoumand et al., 2009). The medicinal importances of spine gourd are sex-specific and only female plants have medicinal values. The leaves of female spine gourd are used as an aphrodisiac, to eliminate the parasites present in the human intestine, cure fever and respiratory disorders. Furthermore (Kumar et al., 2003), stated that root tubers are used for the treatment of headaches, kidney stones and jaundice. Medicinal value of this plant was reported and also these researchers reported that fruits are useful in the treatment of asthma, leprosy, fever, tumors, urinary discharges, excessive salivation, and heart disease. Furthermore (Jain et al., 2010), also noticed that fruit powder is used to induce sneezing, leading to nasal clearing.