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.