BITTER GOURD

INTRODUCTION:

Bitter gourd, also known as balsam pear, is a tropical vegetable

widely cultivated in Asia, Africa and South America. Bitter melon comes in a
variety of shapes and sizes. The bitter melon more typical of India has a
narrower shape with pointed ends, and a surface covered with jagged,
triangular "teeth" and ridges. In TSM, especially in Unani and Ayurvedic
systems, the fruit is considered as tonic, stomachic, stimulant, emetic,
antibilous, laxative and alterative.

PHYTOCONSTITUENTS AND PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDIES :

The unripe fruits are a good source of vitamin C and also

render vitamin A, phosphorus and iron [13]. Fresh bitter melon is also used as
a nourishing food, as it contains 93.8% water, 0.9% protein, 0.1% lipid, 3.3%
dietary fiber, 20 kJ energy per 100 g, 0.6% ash, and a small quantity (0.05%)
of vitamin C , antibilous, laxative and alterative.

POLY-PEPTIDE B:

Polypeptide-P—a plant insulin—known to lower blood sugar levels.

Polypeptide-P, a plant insulin, charantin, vicine, glycosides, and

karavilosides improve blood sugar levels by increasing glucose uptake and
glycogen synthesis in the liver, muscles, and fat cells.

CHARANTIN:

In addition it also contain hypoglycemic agent called charantin.

Charantin increases glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis in the cells of liver,
muscle and adipose tissue.

Triterpenes of M. charantia has the ability to inhibit the enzyme guanylate

cyclase that is thought to be linked to the cause of psoriasis.Guanylate cyclase
is one of the important enzymes, necessary for the growth of leukemia and
other cancer cells.
 M. charantia proteins such as momordin, alpha- and beta-momorcharin and
cucurbitacin B were also tested for possible ant cancerous effects.

VICINE:

It is a Glycol alkaloid shown to induce hypo-glycemia in non-diabetic rats.

Ant diabetic and Hypoglycemic Activity:

It is a potent hypoglycemic agent due to alkaloids and insulin-like

peptides and a mixture of steroidal sapogenins known as charantin.

Studies have shown both the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the
fruit possess hypoglycemic activity in streptozotocin- induced diabetic rats by
inhibiting the enzyme fructose 1, 6-diphosphatase and glucose 6 phosphatase
and at the same time stimulating the enzyme glucose 6 phosphate
dehydrogenase.
Anti-inflammatory Activity:
A triterpene 5β, 19-epoxy-25- methoxy-cucurbita-6, 23-diene-3β 19-diol
(EMCD), purified from M. charantia L. wild variant WB24, was found to
activate AMP- activated protein kinase (AMPK) and have a hypoglycemic
effect in TNF-α-treated FL83B cells. AMPK has been a target for developing
antidiabetic medicine and suggested to play a role in anti-inflammation.

Anticancer Activity:

It was reported that M. charantia fractions were also rich in different

types of phenolic compounds that have strong antioxidant activity as well as
perform as antimutagenic and antitumor compounds. A research indicated
that MC extracts modify the immune response in cancer patients via
decreased intestinal secretion of interleukin-7, reduced lymphocyte number,
and increased T- helper and natural killer cell populations.
Antihyperlipidemic Activity:
Five compounds in bitter melon increases the activity of adenosine-5-
monophosphate kinase (AMPK)—an enzyme that facilitates cellular glucose
uptake and fatty acid oxidation.
The compounds in bitter melon improves lipid profile and reduces liver
secretion of apolipoprotein B (Apo B) and apolipoprotein C- III expression;
and increases the expression of apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA1) and hence increase
the HDL ratio. It also lowers cellular triglyceride content.
Hepatoprotective and Antioxidative Activity:

The result suggested the preventive role A carcinogen-induced lipid

peroxidation in liver and DNA damage in lymphocytes were studied by the
treatment of M. charantia. The fruit extract was found to significantly activate
liver enzymes glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase,
which showed a depression following exposure to the carcinogen.
Antifertility Effect:
Bitter melon seeds contain momorcharin, shown to have antifertility
effects in female mice. Bitter melon seed consumption is not recommended in
those seeking to become pregnant.
Other studies showed ethanol and water extracts of the fruit and leaf
(ingested orally) to be safe during pregnancy.
Antiviral and Anti HIV Studies:
The extract of M. charantia contain α and β momorcharin, lecithin and
MAP30. They have been documented to have in vitro antiviral activity against
Epstein barr, herpes, HIV, Coxsackie virus B3 and polio viruses.
In vitro studies have shown that bitter melon extracts and the MAP30
protein analog— isolated from the seeds of bitter gourd extracts—possess
broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity; also inhibit the infection and growth of
several viruses, including HIV , Herpes simplex.
Antimicrobial and Antiprotozoal Activities:

It was clinically demonstrated that broad spectrum antimicrobial activity

of leaf extracts of bitter gourd, have reported invitro antibacterial activities of
water, ethanol, and methanol against E. coli, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas,
Salmonella, Streptobacillus and Streptococcus.
MC extracts also appear to inhibit the growth of numerous gram-negative
&grampositivebacteria,includingEscherichiacoli,Salmonella,ShigellaStaphylo
coccus,Pseudomonas,Streptococcus,and Helicobacter pylori, and parasitic
organisms Entamoeb histolytica and Plasmodium falciparum.

Antimalarial and Leishmaniasis Activity :

According to the research findings of Waako et al., M. charantia has

antimalarial activity and can thus be used in the prevention and treatment of
malaria. Other findings on crude extracts of M. charantia showed significant
antiplasmodial activity.
Wound Healing Activity:

Researchers found that M. charantia fruit powder, in the form of an

ointment (10% w/w dried powder in simple ointment base), showed a
statistically significant response, in terms of wound contracting ability, wound
closure time, period of mepithelization, tensile strength of the wound and
regeneration of tissues at wound site when compared with the control group.
These results were comparable with standard drug providence iodine
ointment in an excision, incision and dead space wound model in rats.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE : ( PER 100 GM)

 Protein - 1.6gm
 Fat - 0.2gm
 Minerals - 0.8gm
 Fiber - 0.8 gm
 Carbohydrate - 4.2gm
 Calcium - 20mg
 Phosphorous - 70mg
 Iron - 0.61mg
 Arginine - 270 mg/gm
 Histidine - 80mg
 Lysine - 210mg
 Tryptophan - 40mg
 Phenylalanine - 240mg
 Methionine - 150mg
 Threonine - 250 mg
 Leucine - 420mg
 Isoleucine - 370mg
 Valine - 370mg
Dr.A.J.Rathna Prakash
PG.Naturopathy.