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Introduction
Momordica Charantia or Bitter Melon, also known
as balsam pear or Karela, is a Tropical vegetable, and has been
used extensively in folk medicine as a remedy for diabetes. In
Ayurveda, the fruit is considered as tonic, stomachic, stimulant,
emetic, antibilous,laxative and alterative. The fruit is useful
in gout, rheumatism and subacute cases of the spleen and liver
diseases. It is supposed to purify blood and dissipate melancholia
and gross humours. It has also been shown to have hypoglycaemic
properties (anti-diabetic) in animal as well as human studies.
Origin
It is widely cultivated in Asia, Africa and South America.
Chemical
composition /key active constituents
Momordica charantia has a non-nitrogenous neutral principle
charantin, and on hydrolysis gives glucose and a sterol. The
fruit pulp of M. charantia has soluble pectin but no free pectic
acid. Galactouronic acid is also obtained from the pulp. M.charantia
fruits glycosides, saponins, alkaloids, reducing sugars, resins,
phenolic constituents, fixed oil and free acids.
The presence of an unidentified alkaloid and 5-hydroxytryotamine
is also reported. The 5HT content is reported to be present.
The ether extract residue of the alcoholic concentrate from
the leaves of M. charantia is reported to reveal hypoglycemic
activity comparable to that of tolbutamide. The pure protein
termed as P-insulin extracted from M. charantia fruits in crystalline
form is also tested.
Pharmacology
Oral
administration of fresh fruit juice (dose, 6 c.c. /kg. body
wt.) lowered the blood sugar level in normal and alloxan-diabetic
rabbits. Oral administration of alcoholic extracts of the plant
to some diabetic patients did not produce any hypoglycaemic
action. p-Insulin,a polypeptide from the fruits and seeds rapidly
decreased and normalized the blood sugar level in rats.
Remedies
For
The fruit juice and/or a leaf tea is employed
for diabetes, colic, sores and wounds,infections, worms and parasites,
as an emmenogogue, and for measles, hepatitis, and fevers.Bitter
melon was traditionally used for numerous infections, cancer,
and diabetes purpose.
Dosage
The proper dosage is one small, unripe, raw
melon or about 50 ml of fresh juice, each taken in 2 or 3 doses
over the course of the day. The only problem is that bitter
melon tastes extremely bitter
| References: |
| 1. |
Dhalla,
N.S. Gupta, K.C. Sastry, M.S. and Malhotra, C.L. 1961. Chemical
composition of
the fruit |
| |
of
Momordica charantia Linn. Indian J Pharm 23, 128. |
| 2. |
Lotlikar,
M.M. and Rajarama Rao, M.R. 1966. Pharmacology of a hypoglycaemic
principle
isolated |
| |
from
the fruits of Momordica charantia Linn. Indian J Pharm 28,
129. |
| 3. |
Vasistha,
S.K., vasistha, S.C. and Rao, V.R.K. 1961-1962. Chemical examination
of Momordica
|
|
charantia.Part
III. Preparation of D-galacturonic acid and some new salts
of it. J Sci Res Banaras Hindu |
| |
Univ
12(2), 228. |
| 4. |
Vasistha,
S.K., Antony, T.C. and Vasistha S.C. 1960-61. Chemical examination
of Momordica
. |
| |
charantia
Part
I. A study in the pectinous substances. J Sci Res Banaras
Hindu Univ
12(2), 228. |
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