Food prospects and nutraceutical attributes of Momordica species: A potential tropical bioresources – A review

Food Science and Human Wellness

Volumn 3, Issue 3-4, 2014, Pages 117-126

  Nagarani, Gunasekaran ^a   Abirami, Arumugam ^a   Siddhuraju, Perumal ^a  

^a BHARATHIAR UNIVERSITY   (India)

Author keywords

Anti diabetic; Momordica anti HIV protein (MAP 30 protein); Momordica spp.; Triterpenoids

Indexed keywords

EID: 85068988237     PISSN: None     EISSN: 22134530     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.fshw.2014.07.001     Document Type: Review

References (87)

1. Walters, T.W., Decker-Walters, D.S., Notes on economic plants. Balsam pear (Momordica charantia, Cucurbitaceae). Econ. Bot. 42 (1988), 286–288.
2. Miniraj, N., Prasanna, K.P., Peter, K.V., Bitter gourd Momordica spp. Kalloo, G., Bergh, B.O., (eds.) Genetic Improvement of Vegetable Plants, 1993, Pergamon Press, Oxford, UK, 239–246.
3. Decker-Walters, D.S., Cucurbits, Sanskrit, and the lndo-Aryas. Econ. Bot. 53 (1999), 98–112.
4. Behera, T.K., John, J.K., Bharathi, L.K., et al. Chapter 10 Momordica. Kole, C., (eds.) Wild Crop Relatives: Genomic and Breeding Resources, Vegetables, 2011, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, 217–246.
5. Chakravarty, H.L., Cucurbits of India and their role in the development of vegetable crops. Bates, D.M., Robinson, R.W., Jeffrey, C., (eds.) Biology and Utilization of Cucurbitaceae, 1990, Cornell Univ. Press, Ithaca, New York, 325–334.
6. Dey, S.S., Singh, A.K., Chandel, D., et al. Genetic diversity of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) genotypes revealed by RAPD markers and agronomic traits. Sci. Hortic. 109 (2006), 21–28.
7. Singh, A.K., Behera, T.K., Chandel, D., et al. Assessing genetic relationships among bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) accessions using inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. J. Hortic. Sci. Biotechnol. 82 (2007), 217–222.
8. Gaikwad, A.B., Behera, T.K., Singh, A.K., et al. Amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis provides strategies for improvement of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.). Hortic. Sci. 43 (2008), 127–133.
9. Joseph, J.K., Antony, V.T., Momordica sahyadrica sp. nov. (Cucurbitaceae), an endemic species of Western Ghats of India. Nord. J. Bot. 24 (2007), 539–542.
10. Bharathi, L.K., Munshi, A.D., Vinod, S., et al. Cytotaxonomical analysis of Momordica L. (Cucurbitaceae) species of Indian occurrence. J. Genet. 90 (2011), 21–30.
11. Hassan, L.G., Umar, K.J., Nutritional value of balsam apple (Momordica balsamina L.) leaves. Pak. J. Nutr. 5 (2006), 522–529.
12. Thakur, G.S., Bag, M., Sanodiya, S.B., et al. Momordica balsamina: a medicinal and neutraceutical plant for health care management. Curr. Pharm. Biotechnol. 10 (2009), 667–682.
13. Singh, J., Cumming, E., Manoharan, G., Kalasz, H., Adeghate, E., Medicinal chemistry of the anti-diabetic effects of Momordica Charantia: active constituents and modes of actions. Med. Chem. J. 5 (2011), 70–77.
14. Ignat, I., Volf, I., Popa, V.I., A critical review of methods for characterization of polyphenolic compounds in fruits and vegetables. Food Chem. 126 (2011), 1821–1835.
15. Daniel, P., Supe, U., Roymon, M.G., A review on phytochemical analysis of Momordica charantia. Int. J. Adv. Pharm. Biol. Chem. 3 (2014), 214–220.
16. Kubola, J., Siriamornpun, S., Phenolic contents and antioxidant activities of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) leaf, stem and fruit fraction extracts in vitro. Food Chem. 110 (2008), 881–890.
17. Horax, R., Hettiarachchy, N., Chen, P., Extraction, quantification, and antioxidant activities of phenolics from pericarp and seeds of bitter melons (Momordica charantia) harvested at three maturity stages (immature, mature, and ripe). J. Agric. Food Chem. 58 (2010), 4428–4433.
18. Nagarani, G., Abirami, A., Siddhuraju, P., A comparative study on antioxidant potentials, inhibitory activities against key enzymes related to metabolic syndrome, and anti-inflammatory activity of leaf extract from different Momordica species. Food Sci. Hum. Wellness 3 (2014), 36–46.
19. Kenny, O., Smyth, T.J., Hewage, C.M., Brunton, N.P., Antioxidant properties and quantitative UPLC-MS analysis of phenolic compounds from extracts of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds and bitter melon (Momordica charantia) fruit. Food Chem. 141 (2013), 4295–4302.
20. Tuan, P.A., Kim, J.K., Park, N., et al. Carotenoid content and expression of phytoene synthase and phytoene desaturase genes in bitter melon (Momordica charantia). Food Chem. 126 (2011), 1686–1692.
21. Kubola, J., Siriamornpun, S., Phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of different fruit fractions (peel, pulp, aril and seed) of Thai gac (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng). Food Chem. 127 (2011), 1138–1145.
22. Aoki, H., Kieu, M.T.N., Kuze, N., et al. Carotenoid pigments in GAC fruit (Momordica cochinchinenensis Spreng). Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 66 (2002), 2479–2482.
23. Ishida, K.B., Turner, C., Chapman, H.M., Mckeon, A.T., Fatty acid and carotenoid composition of Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng) fruit. J. Agric. Food Chem. 52 (2004), 274–279.
24. Chen, Q., Li, E.T., Reduced adiposity in bitter melon (Momordica charantia) fed rats is associated with lower tissue triglyceride and higher plasma catecholamines. Br. J. Nutr. 93 (2005), 747–754.
25. Rios, J.L., Escandell, J.M., Recio, M.C., Atta-ur-Rahman, (eds.) Studies in Natural Products Chemistry, vol. 32, 2005, Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 429.
26. Pitiphanpong, J., Chitprasert, S., Goto, M., et al. New approach for extraction of charantin from Momordica charantia with pressurized liquid extraction. Sep. Purif. Technol. 52 (2007), 416–422.
27. Chen, J., Lu, L., Zhang, X., et al. Eight new cucurbitane glycosides, kuguaglycosides A-H, from the root of Momordica charantia L. Helv. Chim. Acta 91 (2008), 920–929.
28. Yasuda, M., Iwamoto, M., Okabe, H., et al. Structures of momordicines I, II and III, the bitter principles in the leaves and vines of Momordica charantia L. Chem. Pharm. Bull. 32 (1984), 2044–2047.
29. Nakamura, S., Murakami, T., Nakamura, J., et al. Structures of new cucurbitane-type triterpenes and glycosides, karavilagenins and karavilosides, from the dried fruit of Momordica charantia L. in Sri Lanka. Chem. Pharm. Bull. 54 (2006), 1545–1550.
30. Matsuda, H., Nakamura, S., Murakami, T., Yoshikawa, M., Structures of new cucurbitane-type triterpenes and glycosides, Karavilagenins D and E and karavilosides VI, VII, VIII, IX, X and XI, from the fruit of Momordica charantia. Heterocycles 71 (2007), 331–341.
31. Hsu, C., Hsieh, C.L., Kuo, Y.H., Huang, C.J., Isolation and identification of cucurbitane-type triterpenoids with partial agonist/antagonist potential for estrogen receptors from Momordica charantia. J. Agric. Food Chem. 59 (2011), 4553–4561.
32. Wang, X., Sun, W., Cao, J., et al. Structures of new triterpenoids and cytotoxicity activities of the isolated major compounds from the fruit of Momordica charantia L. J. Agric. Food Chem. 60 (2012), 3927–3933.
33. Hsiao, P.S., Liaw, C.C., Hwang, S.Y., et al. Antiproliferative and hypoglycemic cucurbitane type glycosides from the fruits of Momordica charantia. J. Agric. Food Chem. 61 (2013), 2979–2986.
34. Ma, L., Yu, A.H., Sun, L.L., et al. Two new cucurbitane triterpenoids from the seeds of Momordica charantia. J. Asian Nat. Prod. Res. 16 (2014), 476–482.
35. Zhang, J., Huang, Y., Kikuchi, T., et al. Cucurbitane triterpenoids from the leaves of M. charantia, and their cancer chemopreventive effects and cytotoxicities. Chem. Biodivers. 9 (2012), 428–440.
36. Zhang, Y.B., Liu, H., Zhu, C.Y., et al. Cucurbitane-type triterpenoids from the leaves of Momordica charantia. J. Asian Nat. Prod. Res. 16 (2014), 358–363.
37. Francis, G., Kerem, Z., Makkar, H.P.S., et al. The biological action of saponins in animal systems: a review. Brit. J. Nutr. 88 (2002), 587–605.
38. Akihisa, T., Higo, N., Tokuda, H., Ukiya, M., Akazawa, H., Tochigi, Y., Kimura, Y., Suzuki, T., Nishino, H., Cucurbitane-type triterpenoids from the fruits of Momordica charantia and their cancer chemopreventive effects. J. Nat. Prod. 70 (2007), 1233–1239.
39. Nhiem, N.X., Kiem, P.V., Minh, C.V., et al. Cucurbitane-type triterpene glycosides from the fruits of Momordica charantia. Magn. Reson. Chem. 48 (2010), 392–396.
40. Liu, J.Q., Chen, J.C., Wang, F.C., et al. New cucurbitane triterpenoids and steroidal glycoside from Momordica charantia. Molecules 14 (2009), 4804–4813.
41. Lee, S.Y., Eom, S.H., Kim, Y.K., et al. Cucurbitane-type triterpenoids in Momordica charantia. J. Med. Plants Res., 3, 2009, 1264.
42. Ramalhete, C., Mansoor, T.A., Mulhovo, S., et al. Cucurbitane-type triterpenoids from the African plant Momordica balsamina. J. Nat. Prod. 72 (2009), 2009–2013.
43. Lin, Z.Y., Liua, X., Yanga, F., et al. Structural characterization and identification of five triterpenoid saponins isolated from Momordica cochinchinensis extracts by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Int. J. Mass Spectrom. 328–329 (2012), 43–66.
44. Weng, J.R., Bai, L.Y., Chiu, C.F., et al. Cucurbitane triterpenoid from Momordica charantia induces apoptosis and autophagy in breast cancer cells, in part, through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor activation. Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2013 (2013), 1–12.
45. Liao, Y.W., Chen, C.R., Hsu, J.L., et al. Sterols from the stems of Momordica charantia. J. Chin. Chem. Soc. 58 (2011), 893–898.
46. Blum, A., Loerz, C., Martin, H.J., et al. Momordica charantia extract, a herbal remedy for type 2 diabetes, contains specific 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitor. J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol. 128 (2012), 51–55.
47. Keller, A.C., Ma, J., Kavalier, A., et al. Saponins from the traditional medicinal plant Momordica charantia stimulate insulin secretion in vitro. Phytomedicine 19 (2011), 32–37.
48. Hazarika, R., Parida, P., Neog, B., et al. Binding Energy calculation of GSK-3 protein of Human against some anti-diabetic compounds of Momordica charantia linn (Bitter melon). Bioinformation 8 (2012), 251–254.
49. Lo, H.Y., Ho, T.Y., Lin, C., et al. Momordica charantia and its novel polypeptide regulate glucose homeostasis in mice via binding to insulin receptor. J. Agric. Food Chem. 61 (2013), 2461–2468.
50. Uebanso, T., Arai, H., Taketani, Y., et al. Extracts of Momordica charantia suppresses postprandial hyperglycemia in rats. J. Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol. 53 (2007), 482–488.
51. Tayyab, F., Lal, S.S., Antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activity of Momordica charantia on Type-II diabetic patient in Allahabad, India. Int. J. Pharm. Biol. Sci. 4 (2013), 932–940.
52. Firdous, M., Koneri, R., Sarvaraidu, C.H., et al. NIDDM antidiabetic activity of Saponins of Momordica cymbalaria in streptozotocin-nicotinamide NIDDM mice. J. Clin. Diagn. Res. 3 (2009), 1460–1465.
53. Palanivel, V., Shafi, M., Senthil Kumar, K.L., Antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activities of Momordica tuberosa unripe fruit extract on diabetic induced rats. Int. J. Adv. Pharm. Gen. Res. 1 (2013), 33–40.
54. Rao, P.S., Mohan, G.K., Beneficial effects of Momordica dioica seed extract on lipid profile status in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Int. J. Pharm. Sci. 2 (2014), 464–467.
55. Hasan, I., Khatoon, S., Effect of Momordica charantia (bitter gourd) tablets in diabetes mellitus: Type 1 and Type 2. Prime Res. Med. 2 (2012), 72–74.
56. Franca, E.L., Ribeiro, E.B., Scherer, E.F., et al. Effects of Momordica charantia L. on the blood rheological properties in diabetic patients. BioMed Res. Int. 2014 (2014), 1–8.
57. Basch, E., Gabardi, S., Ubricht, C., Bitter melon (Momordica charantia): a review of efficacy and safety. Am. J. Health Syst. Pharm. 60 (2003), 356–359.
58. Li, C.J., Tsang, S.J., Tsai, C.H., et al. Momordica charantia extract induces apoptosis in human cancer cells through caspase- and mitochondria-dependent pathways. Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2012 (2012), 1–11.
59. Soundararajan, R., Prabha, P., Rai, U., et al. Antileukemic potential of Momordica charantia seed extracts on human myeloid leukemic HL60 cells. Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2012 (2012), 1–10.
60. Pitchakarn, P., Ogawa, K., Suzuki, S., et al. Momordica charantia leaf extract suppresses rat prostate cancer progression in vitro and in vivo. Cancer Sci. 101 (2010), 2234–2240.
61. Fang, E.F., Zhang, C.Z.Y., Wong, J.H., et al. The MAP30 protein from bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) seeds promotes apoptosis in liver cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Cancer Lett. 324 (2012), 66–74.
62. Xiong, S.D., Yu, K., Liu, X.H., et al. Ribosome-inactivating proteins isolated from dietary bitter melon induces apoptosis and inhibits histone deacetylase-1 selectively in premalignant and malignant prostate cancer cells. Int. J. Cancer 125 (2009), 774–782.
63. Manoharan, G., Jaiswal, S.R., Singh, J., Effect of α, β momorcharin on viability, caspase activity, cytochrome c release and on cytosolic calcium levels in different cancer cell lines. Mol. Cell. Biochem. 388 (2014), 233–240.
64. Ramalhete, C., Molnar, J., Mulhovo, S., et al. New potent P-glycoprotein modulators with the cucurbitane scaffold and their synergistic interaction with doxorubicin on resistant cancer cells. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 17 (2009), 6942–6951.
65. Zheng, L., Zhang, Y.M., Zhan, Y.Z., Liu, C.X., Momordica cochinchinensis seed extracts suppress migration and invasion of human breast cancer ZR-75-30 cells via down-regulating MMP-2 and MMP-9. Asian Pac. J. Cancer Prev. 15 (2014), 1105–1110.
66. Yokozawa, T., Kim, H.Y., Kim, H.J., et al. Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) prevents dyslipidaemia and oxidative stress in the ageing process. Br. J. Nutr. 97 (2007), 1187–1195.
67. Nerurkar, P.V., Johns, L.M., Buesa, L.M., et al. Momordica charantia (bitter melon) attenuates high-fat diet-associated oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. J. Neuroinflamm. 8 (2011), 1–19.
68. Lin, Z.Y., Liua, X., Yanga, F., et al. Structural characterization and identification of five triterpenoidsaponins isolated from Momordica cochinchinensis extracts by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Int. J. Mass Spectrom. 328–329 (2012), 43–66.
69. Padmashree, A., Sharma, G.K., Semwal, A.D., et al. Studies on antioxygenic activity of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) and its fractions using various in vitro models. J. Sci. Food Agric. 91 (2010), 776–782.
70. Kim, H.Y., Sin, S.M., Lee, S., et al. The butanol fraction of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) scavenges free radicals and attenuates oxidative stress. Prev. Nutr. Food Sci. 18 (2013), 18–22.
71. Akula, U.S., Odhav, B., In vitro 5-lipoxygenase inhibition of polyphenolic antioxidants from undomesticated plants of South Africa. J. Med. Plants Res. 2 (2008), 207–212.
72. Phan-Thi, H., Wache, Y., Isomerization and increase in the antioxidant properties of lycopene from Momordica cochinchinensis (gac) by moderate heat treatment with UV–vis spectra as a marker. Food Chem. 156 (2014), 58–63.
73. Myojin, C., Enami, N., Nagata, A., et al. Changes in the radical-scavenging activity of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) during freezing and frozen storage with or without blanching. J. Food Sci. 73 (2008), C546–C550.
74. Nantachit, K., Tuchinda, P., Antimicrobial activity of hexane and dichloromethane extracts from Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) spreng leaves. Thai Pharm. Health Sci. 4 (2009), 15–20.
75. Wang, Y.X., Jacob, J., Wing field, P.T., et al. Anti-HIV and antitumor protein MAP30, a 30 kDa single-strand type-I RIP, shares similar secondary structure and beta sheet topology with the A chain of ricin, a type-II RIP. Protein Sci. 9 (2009), 138–144.
76. Bot, Y.S., Mgbojik, L.O., Nwosu, C., et al. Screening of the fruit pulp extract of Momordica balsamina for anti HIV property. Afr. J. Biotechnol. 6 (2007), 47–52.
77. Adesina, J.M., Afolabi, L.A., Ofuya, T.I., Evaluation of insecticidal properties of Momordica charantia in reducing oviposition and seed damaged by Callosobruchus maculates (Fab.) Walp. J. Agric. Technol. 8 (2012), 493–499.
78. Essa, M.M., Subramanian, P., Hibiscus Sabdariffa affects ammonium chloride induced hyperammonemic rats. Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 4 (2007), 321–325.
79. Lii, C.K., Chen, H.W., Yun, W.T., et al. Suppressive effects of wild bitter gourd (Momordica charantia Linn. var. abbreviate ser.) fruit extracts on inflammatory responses in RAW 264.7 macrophages. J. Ethnopharmacol. 122 (2009), 227–233.
80. Amah, C.I., Yama, O.E., Noronha, C.C., Infecund evaluation of cycling female Sprague-Dawley rats: an aftermath treatment with Momordica charantia seed extract. Middle East Fertil. Soc. J. 17 (2012), 37–41.
81. Yama, O.E., Duru, F.I., Temporal adaptation in the testes of rat administered single dose Momordica charantia for three interrupted spermatogenic cycles: Cytometric quantification. Middle East Fertil. Soc. J. 16 (2011), 194–199.
82. Rakh, M.S., Khedkar, A.N., Aghav, N.N., et al. Antiallergic and analgesic activity of Momordica dioica Roxb. wild fruit seed. Asian Pac. J. Trop. Med., 2012, S192–S196.
83. Malik, Z.A., Singh, M., Sharma, P.L., Neuroprotective effect of Momordica charantiain global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion induced neuronal damage in diabetic mice. J. Ethnopharmacol. 133 (2011), 729–734.
84. Horax, R., Hettiarachchy, N., Kannan, A., et al. Proximate composition and amino acid and mineral contents of Mormordica charantia L. pericarp and seeds at different maturity stages. Food Chem. 122 (2010), 1111–1115.
85. WHO/FAO/UNU (World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/United Nations University), Protein and Amino Acid Requirements in Human Nutrition. Report of a Joint WHO/FAO/UNU Expert Consultation. WHO Technical Report Series, No. 935. 2007, 284.
86. Rodriguez, D.B., Raymundo, L.C., Lee, T.C., et al. Carotenoid pigment changes in ripening Momordica charantia fruits. Ann. Bot. 40 (1975), 615–624.
87. Vuong, L.T., Franke, A.A., Custer, L.J., et al. Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng. (Gac) fruit carotenoids reevaluated. J. Food. Comp. Anal. 19 (2006), 664–668.