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Momordica charantia L.

Summary
It is commonly known as Karela. It belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. It is rich in steroids, triterpenoids, mucilages, and polyphenols. Momordicin, Momordicine II, Vicine, Momordin, Charantin and 3-hydroxycucurbita-5,24-dien-19-al-7,23-di-O-β-glucopyranoside are its notable bioactive markers. Leafy stem juice enhances IFN-ϒ production, interleukin IL-1β, IL-6, IL-23, and TNF-α, CCL-17, and NF-kB mRNA and protein levels (Fachinan et al. 2017). Bitter gourd diet increases concentration of IgA, IgG and IgM immunoglobulins in the plasma by indicating its immune boosting capability.

Mode of Consumption : Fried, cooked, juice (raw)
Plant Details Agro-climatic Zone Vernacular Names Pictures
Scientific Name: Momordica charantia L.
Family: Cucurbitaceae Juss.
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Cucurbitales
Genus: Momordica L.
Fruiting Season: March to May
Parts: Fruit
  • The Eastern Coastal Region
  • The North-Eastern Hill Region
  • The Middle Ganga Plain Region
  • The Gujarat Region
  • North-Western Mountain Region
  • The Western Coastal Region
  • The South-Eastern Plateau Region & The Eastern Coastal Region
  • The Deccan Interior Region & The Eastern Coastal Region
  • The Upper Ganga Plain Region & The Middle Ganga Plain Region
  • The Upper Ganga Plain Region
  • The Lower Ganga Plain Region
 Andhra Pradesh : Kakarakaya
Arunachal Pradesh : Karela
Assam : Titakerela
Bihar : Karela
Gujarat : Karela
Himachal Pradesh : Karela
Kerala : Kanandkappaval, Pavaykka, Kattupaval, Undappaval, Nadanpaval
Punjab : Karela
Tamil Nadu : Kundupavai, Padupavai, Pakarkai, Naippaval
Uttar Pradesh : Karela
Uttarakhand : Karela
West Bengal : Korla

Sliced Fruit


Fruit bearing plant


Fruit
Compound/Extract Activity Mode of Action Marker/References
Aqueous ethanolic extract of unripe fruitAnti-apoptoticIt protects pancreatic β-cells through down-regulation of MAPKs and NF-κB.MAPKs and NF-κB[1]
Fruit powderAnti-inflammatoryBitter melon powder could significantly improve the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α and IL-6, anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, and local endotoxin levels.TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10[8]
Fruit powderAnti-inflammatoryBitter melon powder suppressed the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase/ p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (JNK/p38 MAPKs) in adipose tissue.NF-κB and JNK/p38 MAPKs[8]
BG-4 peptide isolated from MCAnticancerDownregulation of antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and XIAP, upregulation of proapoptotic proteins Bax and caspase-3 and modification of cell cycle proteins p21 and cyclin dependent kinase 2 (CDK2)Bcl-2 , XIAP, Bax, caspase-3, p21 and CDK2[9]
Leafy stem juiceAntidiabeticLeafy stem juice enhanced IFN-ϒ production, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-23, TNF-α, CCL-17, and NF-κB mRNA and protein levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).IFN-ϒ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-23, TNF-α, CCL-17, and NF-κB[17]
FruitAnti-inflammatoryHigh fat diet induced glial cells activation and expression of neuroinflammatory markers such as NF-κB1, IL-16, IL-22 as well as IL-17R were normalized in the brains of mice supplemented with bitter melon.NF-κB1, IL-16, IL-22, and IL-17R[20]
FruitAnti-inflammatoryThe concentrations of IgA, IgG and IgM in the plasma of rats that had been fed on the bittergourd diet were significantly higher than the rats fed on control diet.IgA, IgG, and IgM[21]
Water extractAnti-inflammatory MC treatment attenuated the LPS-induced Warburg Effect by reducing the gene expression of GLUT1 and HK2, inhibits the activition of MAPKs and NF-κB DNA-binding activityGLUT1 and HK2 genes, MAPKs and NF-κB [26]
Dried powder and ethanolic extractAntioxidantIncreased in the level of Glutathione (GHS) and activity of Superoxide dismutase (SOD). Decreased the level of Malondialdehyde (MDA). GHS, SOD, and MDA[27]
AntioxidantResults suggests that the heating process (boiling) led to a relevant increase of antioxidant components in Momordica charantia.[31]
Major Class Metabolites (Content of bioactives: mg/100g Fresh Weight)
AlkaloidMomordicin : , Momordicine II: , Vicine: [29]
Carotenoid Lutein : 19.33, α- Carotene: 0.185 mg/100g, β- Carotene: 0.19 mg/100g[30]
MomordicosideMomordicoside L : 3.76[19]
Phenolic acidProtocatechuic acid : 0.21 - 0.78[24]
SaponinMomordin: [29]
Terpene3-Hydroxycucurbita-5,24-dien-19-al-7,23-di-O-β-glucopyranoside: , Charantin: [29]
VitaminAscorbic acid: 84 mg/100g[30]
Effect Observation DOI
In vitro studies Increased production of SCFAs such as acetic acid and butyric acidDOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2013.01.002
Animal model studiesModulation of gut microbioata DOI: 10.1080/09637486.2016.1197185
Animal model studiesReduction the strains of Bectaroids and RuminococcusDOI: 10.1080/09637486.2016.1197185
Disease Formulation Reference Author TKDL
Malaria / Intermittent feverJvaradkusarasa Bharata Bhaishajya Ratnakara - Vol.-II Compiled by Nagin Das Chadan Das Saha, Translated by Gopinath Gupta Ayurveda
FeverShetadukusharasa Bharata Bhaishajya Ratnakara - Vol.-V Compiled by Nagin Das Chadan Das Saha, Translated by Gopinath GuptaAyurveda
Chronic pyrexia ShitarirasaBrihadrasarajasundaraCompiled & Translated by, Dattaram CaubeAyurveda
Pyrexia, Cold Shitarirasa Rasayoga Sagara, Vol.-IICompiled and Translated by Vaidya P. Hariprapanna JAyurveda
Carbuncle/Furuncle, Non-healing ulcer, Ulcer / Wound, Pyrexia, Urticaria/Allergic rashes Agasthiyar Kuzhambhu Agathiyar amutha kalai gnanam1200AgasthiyarSiddha
Information from Wealth of India Reference
  • The fruits are eaten as vegetable when young. It may be sliced and preserved after drying for use in the off season. The fruit is also pickled.
  • The seed mass of the ripe fruit is used as condiment.
  • Tender shoots and leaves of the plant is also consumed as vegetable in India.
  • The fruits are tonic, stomachic, carminative and cooling. They are used in the rheumatism, gout and diseases of liver and spleen.
  • The fruits, leaves and roots have long been used in India as folk remedy for diabetes melitus.
 CSIR(1962).The Wealth of India, Raw materials,Vol.-VI ,P.408-411, New Delhi, India
4.2, 04.2.1, 04.2.1.1, 04.2.1.3, 04.2.2.2, 04.2.2.3, 04.2.2.5, 04.2.2.6, 04.2.2.8
  • Melons consumption should be avoided in combination with dairy products, eggs, fried food, grains, starches.
CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat-6, Assam, India
CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur-61,Himachal Pradesh, India