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ABSTRACT:
Methanol extract of dried leaves of Momordica charantia Linn (Cucurbitaceae), was investigated for antihyperglycemic activity in CTZ induced diabetics rat model, the results shows a significant reduction of blood glucose level to normal when compared with standard. The activity guided extract, subjected to isolation, which led to getting five bioactive constituents, among which one molecule selected for screening and synthesis.
KEYWORDS: Momordica charantia Linn, diabetics, anti-hyperglycemic,
INTRODUCTION:
The plant Momordica charantia Linn (Family: Cucurbitaceae) is a well known plant and widely distributed and cultivated in many parts of India. It is known as bitter gourds in English, Pavakay in Tamil, Karela in Hindi and Bengali, Karke in Marathi, and Kaippa or Kaippa-valli in Malayalam [1]. The fruit of the plant is widely used as vegetable as well as it is used in Ayurvedic and Unani system of medicines for the treatment of many diseases. The fruits and leaves of M. charantia Linn are useful in piles, leprosy, jaundice, diabetes, snake-bite and it is found to have vermifuge and antioxidant properties [2]. The earlier reports showed that the plant also has anti- malarial, antiplasmodial properties [3, 4] and insecticidal activity against mustered sawfly [5]. The present study was carried out to investigate the anxiolytic, antidepressant and anti-inflammatory potential of methanol extract of dried leaves of Momordica charantia Linn.
GEOGRAPHICAL SOURCE:
Momordica charantia (Bitter melon or Bitter guard) is a flowering vine in the family Cucurbitaceae: Leaves:
Simple, usually palmately 5-7 lobed, tendrils unbranched or 2 branched. The herbaceous, tendril bearing vine grows to 5 m. It bears simple, alternate leaves 4-12 cm across, with 3-7 deeply separated lobes.
Fruit:
Ovoid, ellipsoid, or spindle shaped, usually ridged or warty, dehiscent irregularly as a 3 valved fleshy capsule or indehiscent. The fruit has a distinct warty looking exterior and an oblong shape. It is hollow in crosssection, with a relatively thin layer of flesh surrounding a central seed cavity filled with large flat seeds and pith. Seeds and pith appear white in unripe fruits, ripening to red; the flesh is crunchy and watery in texture, similar to cucumber, chayote or green bell pepper. The skin is tender and edible. The fully ripe fruit turns orange and mushy. Bitter melon comes in a variety of shapes...