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Momordica charantia linn. (Karela): Nature's silent healer

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Volume 11, Issue 1, November – December 2011; Article-007 ISSN 0976 – 044X

Review Article

MOMORDICA CHARANTIA LINN. (KARELA): NATURE’S SILENT HEALER

Madhu Gupta, Sushil Sharma, Ajay K. Gautam and Rekha Bhadauria*

School of Studies in Botany, Jiwaji University Gwalior (M.P.) 474011, India.

Accepted on: 21-07-2011; Finalized on: 20-10-2011.

ABSTRACT
Momordica charantia Linn. (karela) is an herbal climber grown in tropical and subtropical regions, belonging to the Cucurbitaceae
family. Momordica charantia (Karela) 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, bronchitis, anemia, blood diseases, ulcer, diarrhea,
dysentery, gonorrhea rheumatism, gout, worms, colic, disease of liver and spleen, cancer and diabetes etc. The main constituents of
Karela are triterpene, protein, steroid, alkaloid, inorganic, lipid, and phenolic compounds, which are responsible for biological and
pharmacological activities including anti-diabetic, anti-cancerous and anti-tumorous, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-helmintic, anti-
malarial, anti-ulcerative and immunomodulatory. Combination of its Ayuervedic properties i.e. Gunna, Rasa and Virya (Dry, pungent,
light, bitter and hot) makes it the real natures wonder. In this article, general description, traditional uses and medicinal properties
of Momordica charantia Linn (Karela) have been reviewed.
Keywords: Momordica charantia Linn. (karela), general description, medicinal properties.

INTRODUCTION Cultivation
Momordica charantia Linn. (Karela) commonly known as Karela is an annual or perennial climber found throughout
Bitter melon or Bitter gourd is tropical and subtropical India and also cultivated up to an altitude of 1500m. It is
climber of the family Cucurbitaceae. It is widely cultivated during warm season i.e. during April to July by
distributed in China, Malaysia, India and tropical Africa. sowing seeds in a pit. Seeds are sown at a distance of half
The Latin name Momordica means “to bite” (referring to a meter and provided with manures. Only one plant is
the jagged edges of the leaf, which appear as if they have retained and plant seedlings are watered once or twice a
been bitten). All parts of the plant, including the fruit week. Plants begin to flower 30-35 days after sowing and
taste very bitter1, as it contains a bitter compound called fruits are ready for harvesting after flowering 15-20
momordicin that is believed to have a stomachic effect2. days13, 14.
In Ayurveda, various parts of Momordica charantia
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT
(Karela) are recommended for many diseases like;
cholera, bronchitis, anemia, blood diseases, ulcer, Momordica charantia Linn. (Karela) has many synonyms
diarrhea, dysentery, sexual tonic and as a cure for like M. chinensis, M. elegans, M. indica, M. operculata, M.
gonorrhea3. Karela contains an array of biologically active sinensis, Sicyos fauriei2. It is known with different
plant chemicals including triterpens, proteins, steroids, common names in different languages i.e. Hindi – Karela;
alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids and acids due to which English – Bitter gourd; Sanskrit – Karavelli; Marathi – Karli;
plant possesses anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, Gujarati – Karelo; Bangali – Baramasiya; Kannada – Karali;
15
anti-viral, anti-fertility, anti-tumorous, hypoglycemic and Malayalam – Kaypa; Tamil – Pakar; Telugu – Kakara .
anti-carcinogenic properties4-8. Fruits are used as
Botanical Description
traditional medication to cure various diseases like:
rheumatism, gout, worms, colic, disease of liver and Momordica charantia Linn. (Karela) (FIG.1) is a flowering
spleen9. It is also found useful in the treatment of cancer climber of family cucurbitaceae. The herbaceous, tendril-
and diabetes10. It is a potent hypoglycemic agent due to bearing plant grows to six meter or longer. It bears
alkaloids and insulin like peptides and a mixture of simple, alternate leaves 4-12 cm across, with 3-7 deeply
steroidal sapogenins known as charantin11. separated lobes (FIG.2). The lobes are mostly blunt, but
have small marginal points. Stipules are absent. Flowers
ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION are actinomorphic and always unisexual. Perianth has a
short to prolonged epigynous zone; yellow on short
The Karela is believed to be originated in the tropics of
(female) or long (male) peduncles that are short-lived.
the old world. It is widely grown in India and other parts
Fruit has ovoid, ellipsoid or spindle shaped usually distinct
of the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, China, Africa,
warty looking exterior and an oblong shape (FIG.3). It is
and the Caribbean and South America as a food and
12 hollow in cross-section with a relatively thin layer of flesh
medicine .
surrounding a central seed cavity filled with large flat
12
seed and pith . Seeds in size 8-13mm, long compressed,
3
corrugate on the margin, sculptured on both faces .
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Volume 11, Issue 1, November – December 2011; Article-007 ISSN 0976 – 044X

In India, it has typical morphology i.e. narrower shape, Parts Used

pointed ends and surface covered with jagged, triangular
The fruits of bitter melon are utilized as vegetable where
“teeth” and ridges with green coloration. It has a strong
12 as the whole plant parts like, fruits, leaves, roots and
bitter taste among all vegetables .
seeds of bitter melon as medicine.
BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES
The different parts of the Karela contain following various
biological activities:
Root - Acrid, astringent, bitter.
Leaf - Antipyretic, bitter, emetic, purgative.
Fruits - Acrid, anthelmintic, anti-diabetic, anti
inflammatory, appetizer, bitter, depurative, digestive,
purgative, stimulant, stomachic, thermogenic15.
Ayurvedic Properties
Momordica charantia Linn. (Karela), a vegetable/
medicinal plant is used in the Ayurvedic system of
Figure 1: Plant of Momordica Charantia bearing fruits medicine for treating various diseases including diabetes
mellitus, measles, fever, hepatitis, itch etc.
According to Ayurveda it contains:
1. Gunna (properties) laghu (light), ruksh (dry)
2. Rasa (taste) katu (bitter) and tikta (pungent)
3. Virya (potency) vshna (hot)
Combination of these properties makes karela a magic
potion for diseases15.

BIOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
The main constituents of bitter melon (Karela) are
triterpene, protein, steroid, alkaloid, inorganic, lipid, and
phenolic compounds 5.
Momordica charantia (Karela) consists the following
Figure 2: Leaves of Momordica Charantia chemical constituents those are alkaloids, momordicin
and charantin (FIG.4), charine, cryptoxanthin, cucurbitins,
cucurbitacins, cucurbitanes, cycloartenols, diosgenin,
elaeostearic acids, erythrodiol, galacturonic acids, gentisic
acid, goyaglycosides, goyasaponins, guanylate cyclase
inhibitors, gypsogenin, hydroxytryptamines, karounidiols,
lanosterol, lauric acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid,
momorcharasides, momorcharins, momordenol,
momordicillin, momordicinin, momordicosides,
momordin, momordolo, multiflorenol, myristic acid,
nerolidol, oleanolic acid, oleic acid, oxalic acid,
pentadecans, peptides, petroselinic acid, polypeptides,
proteins, ribosome-inactivating proteins, rosmarinic acid,
rubixanthin, spinasterol, steroidal glycosides, stigmasta-
diols, stigmasterol, taraxerol, trehalose, trypsin inhibitors,
uracil, vacine, v-insuline, verbascoside, vicine, zeatin,
zeatinriboside, zeaxanthin, zeinoxanthin Amino acids-
aspartic acid, serine, glutamic acid, thscinne, alanine, g-
amino butyric acid and pipecolic acid, ascorbigen, b-
sistosterol-d-glucicide, citruline, elasterol, flavochrome,
lutein, lycopene, pipecolic acid16-18.
Figure 3: Fruits of Momordica Charantia

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Volume 11, Issue 1, November – December 2011; Article-007 ISSN 0976 – 044X

Fruits consists glycosides, saponins, alkaloids, reducing boils and other blood related problems that show up on
sugars, resins, phenolic constituents, fixed oil and free the skin. Juice of karela is also beneficial in treating and
acids12. preventing the liver damage19, 20.
Leaves are nutritious and have been reported as a source Leaves are used in treatment of menstrual troubles,
of calcium (1%), magnesium (4%), potassium (7%), burning sensation, constipation, fever (malaria), colic,
phosphorus (5%), and iron (3%); fruits and leaves are infections, worms and parasites, as an emmenogogue,
great source of B vitamins; Thiamine (vit.B1) 4%, measles, hepatitis and helminthiases12. In Guyana
Riboflavin (vit.B2) 4%, Niacin (vit.B3)2%, vit.B6 3%, Folate traditional medicine, leaf tea is used for diabetes, to expel
(vit.B9)13% 16, 2, 17. intestinal gas, to promote menstruation, and as an
antiviral for measles, hepatitis, and feverish condition. It
Structure of Important Chemical Constituents
is used topically for sores, wound, infections and
internally and externally for worms and parasites21.
Seeds are used in the treatment of ulcers, liver and
spleen problems, diabetes, intestinal parasites, high
cholesterol, and intestinal gas, heal wounds and
15
stomachache etc. .
Roots are used in the treatment of syphilis, rheumatism,
boils, ulcer, septic swellings, opthelmia, and in Prolapsus
vagenae15, 19.
Karela juice helps to reduce the problem of Pyorrhea
(bleeding from the gums). Karela capsules and tinctures
are widely available in the United States for the
treatment of diabetes, viruses, colds flu, cancer, tumors,
high cholesterol and psoriasis2.
Ethnomedical Uses
In India, Momordica charantia Linn. (Karela) used by tribal
people for abortions, birth control, increasing milk flow,
menstrual disorders, vaginal discharge, constipation,
food, diabetes, hyperglycemia, jaundice, stones, kidney,
liver, fever (malaria), gout, eczema, fat loss,
hemorrhoids, hydrophobia, intestinal parasites, skin,
leprosy, pneumonia, psoriasis, rheumatism, scabies,
snakebite, vegetables, piles, tonic, anthelmintic,
purgative5.
PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY
Antioxidant Activity
Different parts of this plant have been used in the Indian
Charantin medicinal system for a number of ailments besides
diabetes. Antioxidant activity of extracted phenolic
Figure 4: Phytochemicals: Momordicin and Charantin compound from bitter melon has been reported by .
22

(Source: Kumar et al., 2010) Antioxidant properties of Momordica charantia (Karela)

TRADITIONAL AND MEDICINAL USES Seeds on Streptozotocin induced-diabetic rats has been
studied and results clearly suggest that seeds of
Karela has been used in various Asian traditional medicine Momordica charantia (Karela) may effectively normalize
systems for a long time, as useful for preventing and the impaired antioxidant status in streptozotocin
treating various diseases. induced-diabetes23.
Fruits of Momordica charantia (karela) used in asthma, Antidiabetic Activity
burning sensation, colic, constipation, cough, diabetes,
fever (malaria), gout, helminthiases, inflammation, Karela contains bitter chemicals like, charantin, vicine,
leprosy, skin diseases, ulcer and wound. It has also been glycosides and karavilosides along with polypeptide-p a
shown to have hypoglycaemic properties (antidiabetic) in plant insulin, which are hypoglycemic in action and
animal as well as human studies. Juice of the Karela improve blood sugar levels by increasing glucose uptake
leaves used to treat piles completely. Karela is used as a and glycogen synthesis in the liver, muscles and fat cells.
blood purifier due to its bitter tonic properties. It can heal

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Volume 11, Issue 1, November – December 2011; Article-007 ISSN 0976 – 044X

Reports indicate that they also improve insulin release The antifungal potential of crude ethanolic extract of
from pancreatic beta cells, and repair or promote new kaffir lime, bitter cucumber and tobacco has been studied
growth of insulin-secreting beta cells. P-Insulin, a by Thanaboripat et al., (2006)37 against Aspergillus flavus.
21
polypeptide from the fruits and seeds rapidly decreased Jagessar et al., (2008) evaluated antibacterial and
and normalized the blood sugar level in rats. Bitter melon antifungal activity of leaf extracts of Momordica charantia
contains another bioactive compound i.e. lectin that has (Karela) against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus
insulin like activity. The insulin-like bioactivity of lectin is and Escherichia coli and reported that the ethanol
due to its linking together 2 insulin receptors. This lectin extracts of Momordica charantia (Karela), can be used for
lowers blood glucose concentrations by acting on controlling E. coli and S. aureus induced diseases.
peripheral tissues and, similar to insulin's effects in the
Antifertility Activity
brain, suppressing appetite. This lectin is a major
contributor to the hypoglycemic effect that develops Stepka et al., (1974)38 have demonstrated in vivo
after eating Karela. Charantin extracted by alcohol, is a antifertility effect of fruit and leaf of bitter melon in
potent hypoglycemic agent composed of mixed steroids female animals.
which is sometimes used in the treatment of diabetes to
12, 24-27 Antiviral Activity
lower the blood sugar levels .
Karela and its isolated phytochemicals, also has been
Anticancerous and Antitumorous Activity
documented with in vitro antiviral activity against
Bitter melon and its extract inhibit cancer and tumor numerous viruses including Epstein-Barr, herpes and HIV
39, 40
formation. A novel phytochemical in karela has clinically viruses . In an in vivo study, a leaf extract
demonstrated the ability to inhibit an enzyme named demonstrated the ability to increase resistance to viral
guanylate cyclase. This enzyme is thought to be linked to infections as well as to provide an immunostimulant
the pathogenesis and replication of not only psoriasis, but effect in humans and animals (increasing interferon
leukemia and cancer as well28, 29. Other phytochemicals production and natural killer cell activity)41. Two proteins
that have been documented with cytotoxic activity are a known as alpha-and beta- momorcharin (which are
group of ribosome-inactivating proteins named alpha and present in the seeds, fruit and leaves) have been reported
beta momorcharin, momordin and cucurbitacin B. In to inhibit the HIV virus in vitro39, 40). In one study, HIV-
1996, Lee-huang et al.30 have developed and patented infected cells treated with alpha- and beta-momocharin
one more chemical compound “MAP-30”, which was able showed a nearly complete loss of viral antigen while
to inhibit prostate tumor growth. healthy cells were largely unaffected42. In 1996 the
inventors of the chemical protein along MAP-30 filed a
Momordin, another phytochemical has clinically
U.S. patent, stating it was “useful for treating tumors and
demonstrated anti cancerous activity against Hodgkin’s
HIV infections. In treating HIV infection, the protein is
lymphoma in vivo31 and several other in vivo studies have
administered alone or in conjunction with conventional
shown the cytostatic and antitumor activity of the entire
AIDS therapies43. Another clinical study showed that
plant of bitter melon. Further studies reported that a
MAP-30’s antiviral activity was also relative to the herpes
water extract blocked the growth of rat prostate
virus in vitro44.
carcinoma and a hot water extract of the entire plant
inhibited the development of the mammary tumors in Anti-Genotoxic Activity
mice29. Numerous in vitro studies have also demonstrated
Balboa and Lim-Sylianco, (1992)45 have reported that
the anti-cancerous and anti- leukemic activity of bitter
Momordica charantia (Karela) decreases the genotoxic
melon against numerous cell lines including liver cancer,
28, 29 activity of methylnitrosamine, methanesulfonate and
human leukemia, melanoma and solid sarcomas .
tetracycline, as shown by the decrease in chromosome
Antimicrobial Activity breakage.
Sankaranarayanan and Jolly32 have clinically Anti-Helmintic Activity
demonstrated broad spectrum antimicrobial activity of
Momordica charantia (Karela) was found more effective
leaf extracts of Karela. They have reported the in vitro
in the treatment of Ascaridia galli46. Ethanol (95%) extract
antibacterial activities of water, ethanol, and methanol
of fruit juice, was found active on Ascaridia galli, whereas,
leaf extracts of Karela against E. coli, Staphylococcus,
hot water extract of seed at concentration of 1:50 was
Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Streptobacillus and
active on Haemonchus contortus47.
Streptococcus; an extract of the entire plant have shown
anti-protozoal activity against Entamoeba histolytica. In Anti-Malarial Activity
another study, a fruit extract of Karela has demonstrated
Karela is traditionally regarded by Asians, as well as
antibacterial activity against the stomach ulcer-causing
33 Panamanians and Colombians, as useful plant for
bacteria Helicobacter pylori .
preventing and treating malaria. Laboratory studies have
Various plant species possessed antimicrobial activity confirmed that various species of Karela have anti-
34-36
against different microorganisms . malarial activity. Leaves brewed in hot water to create a
tea to treat malaria48.

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Volume 11, Issue 1, November – December 2011; Article-007 ISSN 0976 – 044X

Antineoplastic Activity 5. Grover JK and Yadav SP: Pharmacological actions and

potential uses of Momordica charantia. A Rev J
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peroxidase, and catalase, all of which had become
functionally depressed by exposure to the carcinogen 8. Zafar R and Neerja: Momordica charantia-a review.
49
used in the study . Many studies suggest a potentially Hamdard Medicine 34: 1991; 49-61.
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49
substances .
11. Agrawal M and Kamal R: In vitro clonal propation of
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The traditional use of bitter melon for treating 12. Kumar DS, Sharathnath KV, Yogeswaran P, Harani A,
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