International Journal of Biomedical Research IJBR 2[11] [2011]579‐587 579 MOMORDICA CHARANTIA LINN.: A MINI REVIEW Sahu Rishabh Kumar*, Jain Ashish, Nayak Satish Bansal College of Pharmacy, Kokta, Anand Nagar, Bhopal-462021 *Corresponding Author: rishabhkumarsahu@yahoo.com This article is available online at www.ssjournals.com ABSTRACT Momordica charantia Linn. is herbal drug that has been mentioned in many medicinal literature. This article discuss about the medicinal values of Momordica charantia Linn. In this communication, we reviewed the Phytochemistry and its applications in the treatment of various ailments like diabetes mellitus, cancer, obesity, Researchers also reported about its teratogenic activity, antigenotoxic, viral, anti inflammatory, anti depressant, anxiolytic, wound healing activity anti feedent activity. The major constituent of the plant are Terpenoids, Proteins, Sterols and Fatty acids, Volatile constituents are identified and isolated active chemical moieties from this plant are α, β and γ momorcharins , momordins a and b momordicin, momordicinin, charantin. This review discusses the investigation by various workers related to chemical constituents, pharmacological action and toxicological studies of this plant since years till date. Keywords: Momordica charantia Linn.; Diabetes mellitus; Terpenoids; Charantin 1. INTRODUCTION The plant Momordica charantia Linn (family- Cucurbitaceae) is also known as bitter gourds, karela, bitter melon and balsam pear. These species include M. angustisepala, M. balsamina (Linn), M. cochinchinensis (Spreng), M. cabrei, M. dioica (Roxb), M. elaterium, M. foetida, M. grosveroni, M. tuberosa or cymbalaria 1 . It is a tropical vegetables is a common food in India. Other vernacular names of Momordica charantia have been listed later under the heading of vernacular name 2-3 . A monoecious climber or scrambling harbaceous vine found throughout India in the family curcubitaceae. Stem slender, more or less pubescent, leaves suborbicular, alternate, the blade with 5-7 deep palmate lobes and quite variable in their size 4 . Fruits are 5.0-25.0c.m.long, ovoid, ellipsoid or spindle shaped usually ridged or warty, dehiscent irregularly as a 3 valved fleshy capsule or indehiscent. Flower monoecious, unisexual, tubular 5 lobed, moderate sized, pale yellow to orangish in colour. Male flower solitary and female flowers bracteate at the base with a fusiform and muricate ovary 5 as shown in figure 1. Fig. 1 Momordica Charantia Linn. Fruit Seeds are brownish 13.0-16.0 mm long. The plant is cultivated throughout India and widely grown as a vegetable crop all over the tropical countries especially in India, china, Africa and various part of Africa at an altitude of 1500 m. 2 . The fruit of the plant is reported to posses tonic, stomachic, antibilious, stimulant, emetic, laxative, fruit pulp, leaf juice, and seed are showed anthelmintic activity (in lumbrici) 6 . The fruits and leaves are useful in piles, jaundice, diabetes, leprosy, snake bite and it is found to have vermifuge and antioxidant property. Fruit is also useful in gout, rheumatism and sub acute cases of spleen and liver 7 .