Screening of the fruit pulp extract of Momordica balsamina for anti HIV property

• Published in: African journal of biotechnology Vol. 6; no. 1; pp. 47 - 52
• Main Authors: Bot, Y S, Mgbojikwe, LO, Nwosu, C, Abimiku, A, Dadik, J, Damshak, D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 04-01-2007
• Subjects: Human immunodeficiency virus; Momordica balsamina
• ISSN: 1684-5315; 1684-5315

Anti-HIV properties of the fruit pulp extract of Momordica balsamina, a plant of the cucurbitacea family commonly used in the Northern part of Nigeria for its anti-viral efficacy in poultry, was studied in vitro. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were prepared from both HIV sero positive and sero negative patients and categorized into group A (sero negative), group B (PBMC co-culture), group C (PBMC co-culture containing 3.12 mg/ml of the plant extract) and group D (only the enriched culture medium). The PBMCs were cultivated for 28 days using standard methods. CD4+ counts and virus detection assay (P super(24)) were determined on the PBMC. Results showed that the plant extract treatment significantly (P<0.05) increased the CD4+ count when compared to the untreated PBMC, a contrary effect was observed on the P super(24) antigen level (P<0.05). The implication of these findings is discussed.