Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine (Mar 2023)
Exploring the phytochemistry, pharmacognostic properties, and pharmacological activities of medically important plant Momordica Charantia
Abstract
Background: The World Health Organization describes traditional medicine as a variation of health practises, approaches, knowledge, and beliefs that include manual techniques, exercises, spiritual therapies, and medications derived from plants, animals, or minerals that are used separately or in combination to promote health and prevent disease. Approximately 3000 years ago, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which includes massage, moxibustion, acupuncture, and herbal treatment, was developed in China. TCM has grown in acceptance both in China and internationally in recent decades. Momordica charantia (also known as bitter melon or karela) is one of the essential medicinal herbs that naturally occurs in many countries, including India, China, South East Asia, the West Indies, and Mexico. It belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. Many scientists focus on finding novel medications using natural ingredients or TCM. M. charantia has been used as a spice and condiment worldwide since antiquity. The pharmacological effects of karela are incredibly diverse. Its neutral non-nitrogenous principle is charantin, which yields glucose and a sterol when hydrolysed. There is no free pectic acid in the fruit pulp, only soluble pectin. The flesh is another source of galacturonic acid. The bitter gourd is high in many micronutrients, including thiamine, beta-carotene, folate, riboflavin, calcium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and dietary fibre. Bitter gourd juice increases physical endurance and reduces chronic weariness when consumed regularly. The beta-carotene content of this bitter gourd aids in managing eye conditions and improves vision. Methods: The overview of the present work is to summarize the scientific information of M charantia to provide a comprehensive insight into the preventive and therapeutic potential of M charantia in medicine. Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases have been searched to collect all the scientific information on M charantia using the terms herbal medicine and phytochemical. Conclusion: This review will make it simpler to understand the substantial pharmacological effects of karela, which will inspire scientists to keep researching them in the hope that they would one day shield people from various diseases and perhaps even work as a natural gold for the growth of civilization.
