Antifungal Properties Of Fluted Pumpkin (Telfairia Occidentalis) Pod And The Effect Of Its Extract On The Electrolyte Status Of Normal And Monosodium Glutamate — Intoxicated Rats

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to determine the antifungal properties of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) pod and the effect of its ethanol extract on the electrolyte status of normal and monosodium glutamate (MSG) — intoxicated rats. The antifungal activity of the pod was tested on the following fungi pathogens; Aspergillus niger, Histoplasma encapsulatum, Penicillun'z nolatum, Candida albicans, and Fusarium spp and compared with the antifungal activity of a standard antifungal drug, ketoconazole using standard methods. The effect of the ethanol extract of the pod was also determined using standard methods. The electrolyte parameters were bicarbonate ion (HCO3 ), potassium ion (K), sodium ion (Nat), and calcium ion (Ca2 ). The result of the study on the antifungal properties of the pod indicated that at 2000mg/ml, the pod could elicit significant activity against Aspergillus niger, Histoplasma encapsulatuni, and Fusarium spp. The result of the study on the effect of the ethanol extract of the Telfairia occidentalis pod on the electrolyte status of normal and monosodium glutamate — intoxicated rats indicated that the extract (which significantly decreased the concentration of bicarbonate ion) may reduce the effect of monosodium glutamate — intoxication on the normal rats.