From Momordica charantia

Trichosanthes kirilowii [73, 74], MAP 30, from Momordica charantia [75], and PAP, from Phytolacca americana [76]. 

Alkaloids (pyrazolinc derivatives) and some others of undetermined structure have been reported from several genera. The family is known chemically for the cucurbitacins-loxic steroidal substances. In this study, 106 samples in 73 species were tested two were already known to contain alkaloids, Momordica charantia (2/11) and M. foeiida (1/2). Other positives included Coccinea addensis (1/3), Cucumis anguria, C. zeyheri, Cucurbita foelidissi-ma (2/3), Echinocystis macrocarpa, Marah macrocarpa, Melothria cordala, Momordica cissoides, M. repens (1/2), Peponium macke-nii, Trichosanthes sp. 

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,... 

Anila, L. and Vijayalakshmi, N.R., Beneficial effects of flavonoids from Sesamum indicum, Emblica officinalis, and Momordica charantia, Phytother. Res., 14, 592-595, 2000. 

Akhtar S, Husain Q (2006) Potential applications of immobilized bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) peroxidase in the removal of phenols from polluted water. Chemosphere 65 1228-1235... 

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. 

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. 

The seed oil of Cucumis sativus (Cucurbitaceae) contains (51) and (52) in addition to other known 4methyl compounds.39 Momordicosides A—E from the seeds of Momordica charantia (Cucurbitaceae) are based on the sapogenins (53)—(56). The structure and stereochemistry of compound (53) were established by X-ray analysis.40 These cucurbitacins are notable for the absence of an oxygen function... 

We have used silica gel TLC to separate conjugated triglycerides and methyl esters from the non-conjugated species in the seeds of Momordica charantia and Trichosanthus anguina (unpublished results). These seeds contain between 50%-60% of their total fatty acids as a-eleostearic and punicic... 

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