Bitter melon

The seeds of bitter melon are applied topically for skin swellings caused by sprains and fractures, and for sores that are slow to heal. 

Grover JK, Yadav SR (2004). Pharmacological actions and potential nses of Momordica charantia (Bitter melon) A review. J Ethnopharmacol 93 123-132. 

Tan MJ, Ye JM, Turner N, Hohnen-Behrens C, Ke CQ, Tang CP, Chen T, Weiss HC, Gesing ER, Rowland A, James DE, Ye Y. (2008) Antidiabetic activities of triterpenoids isolated from bitter melon associated with activation of the AMPK pathway. Chem Biol 15 263-273. 

A high rate of fetal malformations in sheep offspring occurs following grazing on Veratrum califomicum growing in the mountains of North America. Plants that induce abortion, such as bitter melon seeds, have a long history of use of in humans. 

Momordica charantia L. Ku Gua (Bitter melon) (seed) Anti-HIV protein MAP 30, sterol.33 351 408 423 For immune disorders and common infections. Capable of inhibiting infection of HIV-1 in T. lymphocytes and monocytes, anti-tumor. 

Anti-HIV and anti-tumor activities of recombinant MAP30 from bitter melon. Gene 161 151-156. 

Bourinbaiar, A. S. and S. Lee-Huang. 1995. Potentiation of anti-HIV activity of antiinflammatory drugs, dexamethasone and indomethacin, by M AP30, the antiviral agent from bitter melon. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 208 779-785. 

Basch E, Gabardi S, Ulbricht C. Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) a review of efficacy and safety. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2003 60(4) 356-9. 

A series of proteins, i.e., a-trichosanthin (a-TCS) isolated from the root tubers of Trichosanthes kirilowii, MAP30 isolated from the seeds and fruits of the bitter melon Momordica charantia, GAP31 from Euphorbiaceae himalaya seeds (Gelonium multiflorum), and DAP30 and DAP32 from carnation leaves (Dianthus caryophyllus), have been described to inhibit HIV infection,... 

Cucurbitacin is a bitter-tasting principle that can be isolated from members of the family Cucurbitaceae, such as cucumber Cucumis sativus) and melon (Cucumis melo L.). In particular, cucurbitacin149 and momordicine,150 which have an intensely bitter taste, are contained abundantly in Momordica charantia (bitter melon in English, go-yaa in Okinawa, Japan), which people enjoy due to its bitterness. There are more than 18 kinds of cucurbitacin, and among them cucurbitacin B is a typical component. It has been reported that cucurbitacin exhibits anticancer activity.1 1 In addition, it is used for the treatment of hepatic disease in traditional Chinese medicine. It is also found in some herbal teas. 

Eleostearic (conjugated) Octadeca-9c, 111,13t-trienoic Tung, Bitter Melon Drying oil... 

Oral formulations of Momordica charantia (karela fruit, bitter melon) have hjrpoglycemic activity in non-insulin dependent diabetes meUitus (8,9), and can interfere with conventional treatment with diet and chlorpropamide (10). In 15 patients aged 52-65 years a soft extract of M. charantia plus half doses of metformin or glibenclamide or both in combination caused hjrpoglycemia greater than that caused by full doses during treatment for 7 days (11). Subcutaneous injection of a principle obtained from the fruit may lower blood glucose concentrations in juvenile diabetes. 

Momordica charantia (karela fruit, bitter melon)... 

Melaleuca alternilolia (tea tree) Melilotus officinalis (sweet clover) Mentha piperita (peppermint) Mentha pulegium (pennyroyal) Momordica charantia (karela fruit, bitter melon)... 

Karela fruit, bitter melon Momordica charantia Toothpick weed Ammi visnaga... 

Karela or bitter melon (Momordica charantia) Chlorpropamide Less glycosuria Karela decreases glucose concentrations in... 

Momordica Charanlia Linn (Cucurbitaceae) Fruits, Seeds (Asia, Africa, South America) Bitter melon, also known as balsam pear or karela, is widely cultivated in Asia, Africa and South America and has been used extensively in folk remedies for diabetes. The fresh juice of the unripe fruit, dried fruit or seeds has demonstrated oral hypoglycemic activity [5], Several compounds with hypoglycemic activity have been identified, including an insulin-like polypeptide known as p-insulin ( p-is for plant) [153],... 

An acetone extract of bitter melon given orally daily lowered the blood glucose and serum cholesterol levels to normal range after 15 to 30 days in alloxan diabetic rats. Once the blood sugar level was lowered after 30 days of treatment it did not increase even after 15 days of discontinuation of the treatment [154],... 

Nagasawa, H., Watanabe, K., and Inatomi, H., Effects of bitter melon (Momordica charantia... 

Hypoglycaemic coma and seizures occurred in two young non-diabetic children after they were given bitter melon (karela) tea. ... 

Texts on traditional Chinese medicine do not indicate any cautions for use of bitter melon rind during pregnancy or lactation (Bensky et al. 2004 Chen and Chen 2004). Although this review did not identify any concerns for use while pregnant or nursing, safety has not been conclusively established. 

A special group of cucurbitacins are found in bitter melon, also known as bitter gourd or bitter squash Momordica charantia, Cucurbitaceae), which belongs to the most bitter of the edible fruits. The bitter taste of bitter melon is caused by a number of cucurbitane-type triterpenic glycosides called momordicosides, such as momordicosides K and L (8-239). Bitter melon originated in India and is now widely cultivated in Asia and Africa. The plant also contains other biologically active compounds for which it is used to treat a number of diseases, such as toothache, diarrhea, furuncle and diabetes. 

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