Bitter melon is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family (cucumbers, pumpkins and watermelons). The bitter melon fruit, sometimes called bitter gourd or wild cucumber, grows in tropical and sub-tropical climates. It is very nutritious vegetable having high therapeutic value. It is used both as food and in medicine to treat type2 diabetes, cancer, infections, HIV (AIDS), menstrual disorder and immune disorders.
Chemical constituents from whole plants, fruits, and seeds of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) have been isolated and described as following:
Glycosides: momordin, charantin
Alkaloids: momordicin
Others: polypeptide-P
Oils (seed only): stearic, linoleic, oleic acids
Glycoproteins: alpha-momorcharin, beta-momorcharin, lectins
Others: vicine (pyrimidine nucleoside), protein MAP30
Cucurbitane triterpenoids
Previously, the researchers have reported that extract of bitter melon has sugar- and fat-lowering properties. The compounds present in …
