Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia): The renown anti-diabetic herb!

Bitter melon or bitter gourd as commonly known, is a medicinal plant that has been traditionally used across the globe but extensively in India and China. Scientifically the plant is called Momordica charantia and belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae where other species like the Momordica dioica and Momordica balsamina are found.  The plant is well characterized by its fruits; the bitter melons which are dark green, oblong shaped with a warty exterior. The fruits are very bitter hence the name bitter melon. Momordica charantia is a herbaceous vine with simple alternate leaves and yellow flowers. It has tendrils which helps in support by attaching to other plants.

Momordica charantia has been widely used traditional for treatment and management of various ailments such as diabetes, blood diseases, anaemia, syphilis, blindness, hypertension, bronchitis, asthma and urinary tract infections. Bitter melon contains many minerals, vitamins, and various phytochemicals which stimulate appetite, lowers blood glucose, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, anti-lipolytic, anti-hypertensive and general nutritive. However, the plant is well known for its antidiabetic properties to which it received extensive pharmacological and phytochemical evaluation especially in India. For medicinal effects, the leaves and the fruit juice are used.

Anti-diabetic effects of bitter gourd

Many basic and clinical research studies have explored the antidiabetic properties of Momordica charantia. They have also isolated and characterized the constituents responsible for the hypoglycemic effects. Oral administration of the fresh fruit juice has been shown to reduce and normalize blood glucose in alloxan induced experimental diabetes in rats.  Some studies have shown that the bitter gourd extract lowers blood glucose in rats by increasing the expression of glucose transporters especially GLUT4 in skeletal muscles hence improving insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Studies on the effect of Momordica charantia extracts on insulin signaling associated proteins have been also conducted. It is reported that the fresh bitter melon juice activates the AMPK, a protein which regulates metabolism and physiological processes in the body. The juice is also said to have stimulatory and regenerative effects on the insulin secreting β-cells of the pancreas.

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Studies aimed at isolating and characterizing phyto-constituents of the medical value from the extracts have also been conducted and documented. Phytochemicals such as alkaloids, glycosides, phenols, flavonoids and saponins have been reportedly isolated from either the fruit or leaf extracts made using various solvents. One important isolated constituent is the charantin, a steroidal saponin which has been shown to lower blood glucose levels to normality. An insulin like peptide also called p-insulin has been identified and its effects evaluated. It is reported that the juice or the extract works better than the isolated constituents. This shows that the effect of charantin, p-insulin and some alkaloids work together in lowering blood glucose through the various mechanisms of action.  Bitter melon therefore, has potential for use in diabetes therapy.

References

Wang H, Kan W, Cheng T, Yu H, Chang L, Chuu J. Differential anti-diabetic effects and mechanism of action of charantin-rich extract of Taiwanese Momordica charantia between type 1 and type 2 diabetic mice. Food and Chemical Toxicology 69 (2014) 347–356.

Kumar K and Bhowmik D. Traditional medicinal uses and therapeutic benefits of Momordica charantia linn. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research 4 (2010) 23 – 28.

My dream Africa: Sustainable industrial development

Africa is a continent blessed with genetic diversity and abundant natural resources such as minerals, fertile land for arable farming and diverse nutritious vegetation for animal production. Her beauty is marginalized across her diverse cultures, with tourist attracting landscapes and wildlife. The vast land with good soils and grazing grounds have resulted in Africa’s heavy dependence in agriculture for wealth creation and survival of her citizens. However, after colonization Africa has realized booming economic growth fueled by a shift from agriculture to economic industrialization. This resulted in improved lifestyles, employment opportunities, better trade and regulated governance over economic activities and natural resources. Even though there is an increasing trend on economic growth, Africa has not reached her full potential of industrialization, hence, there is greater need for increased investment in sustainable industrialization.

Industrialization, being considered as one of the key driving forces for economic growth and development in Africa, has been of recent faced with challenging factors limiting its progress. These challenges include environmental factors such as pollution, depletion of mineral resources, poor governance and political instabilities, and climate change. Also, it has been solely based on primary industries which add little value to economic growth. There is vast evidence linking industrialization to loss of biodiversity due to the escalating unsustainable use of natural resources, rising pollution levels and climate change. However, the negative effects, industrialization is key to Africa’s development therefore its imperative for Africa to device sustainable means of industrialization which are environmental friendly and do not compromise the welfare and wellbeing of the future generations.

To achieve sustainable development inclusive of industrialization, Africa need to formulate and put into practice good governance policies over the management of her resources. Good governance, policies and democracy will allow for foreign direct investment which fuels rapid industrialization. The environmental, climate change action principles and sustainable development policies will ensure that the rapid industrialization is not detrimental to the environment. Free elections should be a norm in African countries to allow smooth transitions of government. Good governance and policy reforms will ensure gender equality, youth empowerment, poverty eradication and industrial based education. Educating the youth on entrepreneurship and funding their innovative ideas is the key to sustainable industrialization since half of the African population is made up of the youth.

Addressing most of the challenges Africa is facing, is one important aspect that can lead to development. African countries must collaborate on fighting diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases which heavily limit Africa’s progress. There is need for Africa to make effort towards the implementation of environmental friendly practices with results of improved health, clean water, and sanitation. A huge amount of money is spent of medical drugs for management of diseases. Therefore, Africa should consider investing in the pharmaceutical industry. The emphasis should be on a joint pharmaceutical company between all the member states. Also, since Africa is blessed with a great genetic variability within its populations, there is need for clinical trials of medicines to be conducted in the African population. This would help eliminate the possibility of dire side effects being realized after legalization of the drug due to our genetic difference.

The most important aspect of development and industrialization is energy. Industries are powered by electricity, and petroleum oils. The current energy sources are fossil fuels which despite the good energy source, have created more trouble than good. The combustion of fossil fuels emits large amounts of greenhouse gases which have and continues to worsen global warming and climate change. Therefore, there is urgent need for Africa to invest in sustainable alternative sources of energy which do not cause ozone layer degradation. Africa should shift from fossil fuels to green energy technology like the use of solar and wind to produce electricity. Biofuels are also a promising alternative sustainable energy source which Africa must take into consideration. The advantage Africa has on biofuels like bioethanol and biodiesel, is the availability of raw materials especially agricultural wastes which can be harnessed to produce fuels and their residues used as animal feed or fertilizers. Alternatives energy sources are not only of benefit environmentally but are also cost effective hence reducing Africa’s huge expenditure.

Africa can achieve sustainable industrialization if illicit financial flows and corruption are eliminated from governments. There is need for advancement of security and policies regulating the management of government finances. Also, African leaders need to device and implement anti-corruption measures to avoid the mismanagement of funds designated for developments. Africa should also have continental regulations on foreign investments to avoid overexploitation by investors from developed countries. For example, industries from foreign countries must employ at least 95% of Africans and help communities with resource mobilization and educational scholarships for the youth. Investment in human capital especially training the youth gives youth employability and entrepreneurial skills, hence reducing the level of unemployment.

The world has become a global village due to technology advancement. It is with information communication and technology (ICT) that new opportunities arise. New financial markets such as blockchain and cryptocurrencies can help Africa raise funds for sustainable development. Therefore, there is need for Africa to invest in ICT for the benefit of industries and people. The world shifting towards digitalization of industries, therefore, investment in digital health care, digital currencies, and online education should become one of Africa’s core goals.

My dream Africa, is Africa whose industrialization is sustainable; where the economic activities implemented do not compromise the wellbeing of the future generations. To foster sustainable industrialization, Africa need to prioritize alternative sources of energy, invest in green technology and other environmental friendly practices. I dream of Africa who has good governance, gender equality, youth employment, pollution free, with zero corruption and advanced in ICT. Moreover, anything Africa does for sustainable industrial development must integrate climate change action.