Momordica dioica
Momordica dioica, commonly known as Spiny Gourd or Kantola, is a nutrient-dense medicinal plant widely cultivated in South Asia. Renowned for its therapeutic properties, it offers significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic benefits. This versatile vegetable is highly valued in traditional medicine for supporting digestive health and overall immunity.
- Scientific name: Momordica dioica
- Family: Cucurbitaceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Momordica dioica, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae within the order Cucurbitales. Finally, it is a member of the family Cucurbitaceae and the genus Momordica.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Cucurbitales | WCVP |
| Family | Cucurbitaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Momordica | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Momordica dioica, is referred to by various regional names across different languages in India. In Hindi, it is commonly called ककोड़ा, while in Malayalam, it is known as എരുമപ്പാവൽ. In Bengali, the plant is called কাঁকরোল, and in Marathi, it goes by the name करटोली. Additionally, in Telugu, it is referred to as ఆగాకర.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| hi | ककोड़ा | Wikidata |
| ml | എരുമപ്പാവൽ | Wikidata |
| bn | কাঁকরোল | Wikidata |
| mr | करटोली | Wikidata |
| te | ఆగాకర | Wikidata |
| ne | वन करेला | Wikidata |
| ru | Момордика двудомная | Wikidata |
| ta | தும்பை | Wikidata |
| zh | 云南木鳖 | Wikidata |
| si | තුඹ කරවිල | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across several key regions within the Indian Subcontinent. It can be found growing natively throughout the various territories of India. Its presence extends significantly into the neighboring country of Bangladesh as well. Furthermore, it is commonly located within the rugged landscapes of Nepal and the East Himalaya. Additionally, the species is well-established in the specific region of Assam.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Pakistan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | West Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Andaman Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
Chemicals
Momordica dioica has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include triterpenoids, Flavonoids, calcium, catechin, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| triterpenoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| calcium | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| catechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hederagenin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| iron | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oleanolic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phosphorus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Momordica dioica has 6 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiviral.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Nephroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Momordica dioica has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Mycobacterium tuberculosis, SARS-CoV-2 infections, antidiabetic, antiviral, cardiovascular disease.
- Total uses
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Mycobacterium tuberculosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| SARS-CoV-2 infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |