Momordica charantia
Momoerdica charantia, commonly known as bitter melon or bitter gourd, is a versatile medicinal plant celebrated in traditional healing. Renowned for its potent bioactive compounds, it is widely used to manage blood sugar levels, support digestive health, and provide antioxidant benefits, making it a vital staple in holistic wellness.
- Scientific name: Momordica charantia
- Family: Cucurbitaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Cucurbitales, it is classified under the family Cucurbitaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Momordica, with the specific species name being charantia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Cucurbitales | WCVP |
| Family | Cucurbitaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Momordica | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant, Momordica charantia, exhibits a diverse geographical presence across several key regions. In the Macaronesia region, it can be found specifically in Cape Verde. Its distribution extends significantly into West Tropical Africa, where it is documented in Benin. Furthermore, the species is present in the West Tropical African nations of Burkina and Gambia. Finally, its range continues through the West Tropical African territory of Ghana.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
Chemicals
Momordica charantia has 116 reported phytochemicals identified across 177 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, saponins, quercetin, saponin, triterpenoids.
- Total chemicals
- 116
- Scientific sources
- 177
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 12 | ★★★★★ |
| saponins | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| quercetin | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| saponin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| triterpenoids | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| carotenoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| charantin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| glycosides | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| momordicoside | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Activities
Momordica charantia has 35 reported activities identified across 107 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Hypoglycemic, Antibacterial, Abortifacient.
- Total activities
- 35
- Scientific sources
- 107
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 16 | ★★★★★ |
| Antidiabetic | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| Hypoglycemic | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| Antibacterial | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| Abortifacient | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperglycemic | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Momordica charantia has 111 reported medicinal uses identified across 178 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diabetes mellitus, cancer, antidiabetic, obesity, inflammation.
- Total uses
- 111
- Scientific sources
- 178
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| diabetes mellitus | 12 | ★★★★★ |
| cancer | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| antidiabetic | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| obesity | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| inflammation | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Diabetes mellitus | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| type 2 diabetes | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| COVID-19 | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| blood glucose | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |