Momordica cymbalaria

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cucumis tuberosus
• Luffa tuberosa
• Luffa hilapikku
• Kedrostis malvifolia

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further organized into the order Cucurbitales and the family Cucurbitaceae. Finally, the species is categorized under the genus Momordica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the tropical regions of Africa. In Northeast Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in Eritrea, Ethiopia, and throughout the Sudan-South Sudan region. Moving into East Tropical Africa, the species can also be found growing in Kenya. Additionally, its range extends further south to include Tanzania. Collectively, these locations highlight its prevalence across both the northeastern and eastern parts of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Momordica cymbalaria is characterized by its growth habit as a non-woody, herbaceous climber. It functions as an obligatory vine, meaning it lacks the structural rigidity to remain upright on its own and must rely on external supports to ascend. As a liana-type climber, it utilizes specialized mechanisms to navigate its environment, distinguishing it from self-supporting plant forms.

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Momordica cymbalaria has 3 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, seed, leaf.

Fruit

1. Scientific reports
2. PeerJ
3. Chemistry & biodiversity

Seed

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Scientific reports

Leaf

1. Scientific reports

Chemicals

Momordica cymbalaria has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Alkanes, Esters, Steroids, Terpenoids, carboxylic acids.

Alkanes

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Esters

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Steroids

1. Scientific reports

Terpenoids

1. Scientific reports

carboxylic acids

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Activities

Momordica cymbalaria has 3 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial.

Anticancer

1. Scientific reports

Antidiabetic

1. Scientific reports

Antimicrobial

1. Scientific reports

Conditions

Momordica cymbalaria has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance, oxidative stress.

Diabetes mellitus

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hyperglycemia

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hyperlipidemia

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Impaired glucose tolerance

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Oxidative stress

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Momordica cymbalaria has 1 reported preparations identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Ethyl acetate extract.

Ethyl acetate extract

1. Chemistry & biodiversity