Abstract

Shams Eldien Koko, Talib M. A., Suliman I. Suliman, Muddathir S. Alhassan and Ahmed S. Kabbashi*

ABSTRACT

Balanites aegyptiaca has been reported to be an anti-helminthic, a purgative, febrifuge, emetic and can also cure other types of ailments like skin boils, malaria, wounds, colds, syphilis, liver and spleen disorders. Various parts of this plant have their own traditional medicinal properties. The seed is used as a febrifuge, and its oil is used to treat tumors and wounds. An aqueous extract of the bark is used in Sudanese folk medicine in the treatment of jaundice. The kernel oil exhibited anticancer activity against lung, liver, and brain carcinoma cell lines. It also has anti-mutagenic activity against Fasciola gigantica-induced mutagenicity besides anthelmintic activity against hepatic worms (Schistosoma mansoni), the aqueous leaf extract and saponins isolated from its kernel cakes have antibacterial activity. The branches are used as tooth brush. The root extracts have proved to be slightly effective against experimental malaria. The purpose of the paper was to investigate the in-vitro antimicrobial activity of ethanol, Petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of B. aegyptiaca (Leafs). The ethanol, Petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of B. aegyptiaca was tested against four standard bacteria i.e.: two Gram positive (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus), two Gram negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and against two standard fungi species i.e. Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans using the disc diffusion method. The microbial activities were provide that most of the extracts ethanol, petroleum ether, and chloroform extract of B. aegyptiaca (Leafs). The ethanol, petroleum ether, and chloroform extract exhibited inhibitory effects against most of the tested organisms with the zone of inhibition ranging from (11 to 14 mm), (15-16 mm) and (13-15mm) respectively. In conclusion: This study conducted for B. aegyptiaca (Leafs) proved to have potent activities against antibacterial as well as antifungal activity in vitro.