MOMORDICA CHARANTIA: FOR TRADITIONAL USES AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS

Abstract

Momordica charantia is a plant of the Cucurbitaceae family, is known as bitter melon, karela, and pare. It grows in tropical areas of the Amazon, , Asia, South America India, East Africa and  Caribbean, and is used traditionally as both food and medicine. The fruit ripens, the flesh (rind) becomes slightly tougher and more bitter, and many think it too repulsive to eat. On the other hand, the pith becomes sweet and intensely red; it can be eaten uncooked in this state, and is a popular part in some Southeast Asian salads .Momordica charantia have provided many remedies for various diseases from ancient days to now a day. It has been used in various Asian traditional medicines for the treatment of cholera,  anemia, diarrhea blood diseases, bronchitis, gout, dysentery, gonorrhea rheumatism,  ulcer, colic, worms, disease of liver and spleen, cancer and diabetes etc.In preliminary phytochemical analysis we observed glycosides, phytosterols, alkaloids, phenolic, saponins compounds, fats, proteins, and fixed oils, flavonoids, and thin layer chromatography (TLC) was also performed. The medicinal values of Bitter melon lies in the bioactive phytochemical constituents that are non nutritive chemicals that produce clear-cut physiological effects on human body and protect them from various diseases. Juice of Momordica charantia the leaves used to treat piles totally. Momordica charantia is used as a blood purifier due to its bitter tonic properties. Keywords: Momordica charantia, medicinal properties, pharmacology