Bitter gourd (momordica charantia)

RRJoBT (2017) 1-13 © STM Journals 2017. All Rights Reserved Page 1
Research & Reviews: A Journal of Biotechnology
ISSN: 2231-3826 (Online), ISSN: 2347-7245 (Print)
Volume 7, Issue 1
www.stmjournals.com
Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia): A Natural Gift in
Support of the Research in Medicine and Biotechnology
Zahoor Ahmad Parray1
, Shabir Ahmad Parray2,
*, Asimul Islam1
1
Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia,
New Delhi, India
2
Department of Ilmus Saidla (Unani Pharmacy), Mohammadia Tibbia College, Mansoora Malegaon,
Nashik, India
Abstract
Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) is acknowledged to be nature’s silent healer. It is a
prospective herbal plant applied world widely in traditional systems of medicine (TSM) to
modern medicine. It is medically very effective for various diseases such as diabetes, blood
coagulation, cancer, menstrual stimulation and several diseases. Momordica fruit is
frequently used in TSM, because it is very potent for cure, multidimensional function and
reduces the consequences of diseases. Bitter guard is well-known to have hypoglycemic
activity. The endeavor of this review is to comprehend the knowledge of plants used in TSM
and in applied biotechnology, for researches in relation to formulate their use by eloquent
their pharmacological properties, therapeutic agents so that the data and information of this
review could be utilized in drawing approaches for coherent and more systematic and
scientific use of medicinal plants in an approach that can be complete point of view for
scientific and technical analysis in miscellaneous aspects. Here, we would like to light on its
contribution in the field of biotechnology, and few highlights from TSM. In addition, we will
uncover the supplementary medicinal properties of M. charantia that will help researchers to
pull in concert data regarding the fruit effortlessly.
Keywords: Momordica charantia, biotechnology, bitter gourd, traditional system of medicine
(TSM)
*Author for Correspondence E-mail: saparray@yahoo.co.in
INTRODUCTION
From ancient days to now a day, medicinal
plants have played a potential and useful role
for the treatment of several diseases and
disorders. One of the common tropical
vegetable is Momordica charnatia (MC), also
known as nature’s silent healer [1]. Latin name
Momordica means “to bite” (referring to the
jagged edges of the leaf, which appear as if
they have been bitten). MC, bitter gourd or
Karela is the member of Cucurbitaceae family,
and is a commonly consumed vegetable in
India [1, 2].
The additional well-known names are bitter
melon, balsam pear, Qisaul Himaar in Arabic,
and Karela in Urdu and Hindi, respectively [3,
4]. Plant grows in tropical areas of the
Amazon, East Africa, Asia, India, South
America and Caribbean; it is used traditionally
as both food and medicine. The plant is
climbing perennial with elongated fruit that
resembles a warty gourd or cucumber. The
unripe fruit is white or green in color and has a
bitter taste that becomes more pronounced as
the fruit ripens [5].
ETHNOMEDICINAL HISTORY AND
USES
It grows in tropical areas, including parts of
the Amazon, East Africa, Asia, and the
Caribbean, widely grown in India and other
parts of the Indian subcontinent, Southeast
Asia, China, Africa, and the Caribbean. Bitter
gourd, also known as balsam pear, is a tropical
vegetable widely cultivated in Asia, Africa and
South America. Bitter melon comes in a
variety of shapes and sizes. The typical
Chinese phenotype is 20–30 cm long, oblong
with bluntly tapering ends and pale green in
color, with a gently undulating, warty surface.
The bitter melon more typical of India has a

Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia) Parray et al.
narrower shape with pointed ends, and a
surface covered with jagged, triangular "teeth"
and ridges [6, 7].
In the Amazon, local people and indigenous
tribes grow bitter melon in their gardens for
food and medicine. They add the fruit and/or
leaves to beans and soup for a bitter or sour
flavor; parboiling it first with a dash of salt
may remove some of the bitter taste.
Medicinally, the plant has a long history of use
by the indigenous peoples of the Amazon. A
leaf tea is employed for diabetes; as a
carminative for colic; topically for sores,
wounds, and infections; internally and
externally for worms and parasites and as an
antiviral agent for measles, hepatitis, and
feverish conditions. In Brazilian herbal
medicine, bitter melon is used for tumors,
wounds, rheumatism, malaria, leucorrhea,
inflammation, menstrual problems, diabetes,
colic, fevers, worms, to induce abortions, and
as an aphrodisiac. It is also employed topically
for skin problems, vaginitis, hemorrhoids,
scabies, itchy rashes, eczema, and leprosy. In
Mexico, the entire plant is used for diabetes
and dysentery; the root is a reputed
aphrodisiac. In Peruvian herbal medicine, the
leaf or aerial parts of the plant are used to treat
measles, malaria, and all types of
inflammation. In Nicaragua, the leaf is
commonly used for stomach pain, diabetes,
fevers, colds, coughs, headaches, malaria, skin
complaints, menstrual disorders, aches and
pains, hypertension, infections, and as an aid
in childbirth [2, 6–8]. Momordica charantia
(MC) have provided many remedies for
various diseases from ancient days to now a
day.
TRADITIONAL SYSTEM OF
MEDICINAL USES
It has been used in various Asian traditional
medicines [2, 8, 9]. In TSM, especially in
Unani and Ayurvedic systems, the fruit is
considered as tonic, stomachic, stimulant,
emetic, antibilous, laxative and alterative. Like
most bitter-tasting foods, bitter melon
stimulates digestion, and hence used in
dyspepsia, and constipation [2, 9]. In the
classical literature of Unani system of
medicine, it is mentioned as demulcent,
deobstruent, anti-inflammatory and
anthelmintic; and used in treatment of cholera,
bronchitis, anemia, blood diseases, ulcer,
diarrhea, dysentery, gonorrhea rheumatism,
gout, worms, colic, disease of liver and spleen
[3, 4]. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is used for
indigestion, intestinal gas, menstrual
stimulation, wound healing, inflammation,
fever reduction, gonorrhea, hypertension, as a
laxative and emetic [8, 10]. Fruits are used as
traditional medication to cure various diseases
such as rheumatism, gout, worms, colic,
disease of liver and spleen. It is also found
useful in the treatment of cancer and diabetes
[9, 11, 12]. The medicinal values of bitter
melon, lies in the bioactive phytochemical
constituents that are nonnutritive chemicals
that produce clear-cut physiological effects on
human body and protect them from various
diseases. Juice of M. charantia leaves is used
to treat piles totally [11, 12].
PHYTOCONSTITUENTS AND
PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDIES
The unripe fruits are a good source of vitamin
C and also render vitamin A, phosphorus and
iron [13]. Fresh bitter melon is also used as a
nourishing food, as it contains 93.8% water,
0.9% protein, 0.1% lipid, 3.3% dietary fiber,
20 kJ energy per 100 g, 0.6% ash, and a small
quantity (0.05%) of vitamin C [14]. The fruit
bitter melon be full of various compounds that
act agonistically to the compounds in body and
function correspondingly i.e., contains
phytonutrient, polypeptide-P—a plant
insulin—known to lower blood sugar levels. In
addition it also contain hypoglycemic agent
called charantin. Charantin increases glucose
uptake and glycogen synthesis in the cells of
liver, muscle and adipose tissue. Together,
these compounds are thought to be responsible
for reduction of blood sugar levels in the
treatment of type-2 diabetes [15, 16].
Polypeptide-P, a plant insulin, charantin,
vicine, glycosides, and karavilosides improve
blood sugar levels by increasing glucose
uptake and glycogen synthesis in the liver,
muscles, and fat cells [15, 16]. M. charantia is
rich in various biologically active chemicals
including triterpenes, proteins, and steroids.
Triterpenes of M. charantia has the ability to
inhibit the enzyme guanylate cyclase that is
thought to be linked to the cause of psoriasis.
In addition, guanylate cyclase is one of the
important enzymes, necessary for the growth
of leukemia and other cancer cells. In addition

Volume 7, Issue 1
to these biologically active triterpenes, M.
charantia proteins such as momordin, alpha-
and beta-momorcharin and cucurbitacin B
were also tested for possible anticancerous
effects [17, 18].
BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES AND
CLINICAL RESEARCH
Karela contains an array of biologically active
plant chemicals including triterpens, proteins,
steroids, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids and
acids due to which plant possesses antifungal,
antibacterial, antiparasitic, antiviral,
antifertility, anti-inflammatory, antitumorous,
hypoglycemic and anticarcinogenic properties
[19–22].
Similarly, clinical conditions for which M.
charantia extracts (primarily from the fruit)
are currently being used include diabetes,
dyslipidemia, microbial infections, and
potentially as a cytotoxic agent for certain
types of cancer [23, 24]. It is well known that
dietary fiber rich diets are beneficial in the
management of diabetes. The dietary fibers are
known to differ from source to source in terms
of their chemical nature, functionality and
fermentability [25, 26]. Some of the clinical
trials have reported that it has highly potential
benefits during diabetes [26]. Few important
scientific studies are mentioned here:
Antidiabetic and Hypoglycaemic Activity
It is a potent hypoglycemic agent due to
alkaloids and insulin-like peptides and a
mixture of steroidal sapogenins known as
charantin. Bitter melon's hypoglyecemic
ingredients have been shown in animal and
human studies [12]. In numerous studies, at
least three different groups of constituents
found in all parts of Momordica have
clinically demonstrated hypoglycemic
properties or other actions of potential benefit
against diabetes mellitus [27, 28]. Bitter melon
has been shown to increase the number of β
cells in the pancreas thereby improving the
body's ability to produce insulin [27]. The
effect of M. charantia fruit juice on the
distribution and number of α, β and δ cells in
the pancreas of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced
diabetic rats using immunohistochemical
methods was investigated and the results
suggested that oral feeding of M. charantia
fruit juice may have a role in the renewal of β
cells in STZ-diabetic rats or alternately may
permit the recovery of partially destroyed β
cells [29].
Studies have shown both the aqueous and
alcoholic extracts of the fruit possess
hypoglycaemic activity in streptozotocin-
induced diabetic rats by inhibiting the enzyme
fructose 1, 6-diphosphatase and glucose 6
phosphatase and at the same time stimulating
the enzyme glucose 6 phosphate
dehydrogenase [28, 30]. This fruit has also
shown the ability to enhance cells’ uptake of
glucose, to promote insulin release, and to
potentiate the effect of insulin [31].
Bitter melon has reduced blood glucose and
lipids in both normal and diabetic animals,
protected β cells, enhanced insulin sensitivity
and reduced oxidative stress [32]. Blood sugar
support can be achieved by taking a
combination of bitter melon, N-acetyl
cysteine, goat’s rue, cinnamon, vanadium,
quercetin, vitamin C, vitamin E and B6.
Components of bitter melon extract appear to
have structural similarities to animal insulin
[14]. In rats, oral bitter melon juice has been
found to potentiate the glucose-lowering
effects of the sulfonylurea tolbutamide [22].
Alcoholic extracted charantin from M.
charantia consists of mixed steroids, and in an
animal model of diabetes it improved glucose
tolerance to a degree similar to the oral
hypoglycaemic agent—tolbutamide [15].
A clinical trial of diagnosed type-I diabetes, in
which a subcutaneous injection of bitter gourd
extract containing crystallized p-insulin,
showed statistically significant decrease in
blood sugar levels as compared to controls.
The onset of p-insulin’s effect was noted 30–
60 min after administration, with peak effect
ranging widely from 4–12 h [33].
Another study was carried out to examine the
effect of edible portion of bitter gourd at 10%
level in the diet of streptozotocin-induced
diabetic rats. Different parameters such as diet
intake, gain in body weight, water intake,
urine sugar, urine volume, glomerular
filtration rate and fasting blood glucose
profiles were monitored. Renal hypertrophy,

glomerular filtration rate and fasting blood
glucose was significantly reduced as 38%,
27%, and 30%, respectively by bitter gourd
[27].
Anti-inflammatory Activity
Previously, a triterpene 5β, 19-epoxy-25-
methoxy-cucurbita-6, 23-diene-3β 19-diol
(EMCD), purified from M. charantia L. wild
variant WB24, was found to activate AMP-
activated protein kinase (AMPK) and have a
hypoglycaemic effect in TNF-α-treated FL83B
cells. AMPK has been a target for developing
antidiabetic medicine and suggested to play a
role in anti-inflammation [34]. Consequently,
the expression of inflammatory markers
including inducible nitric oxide synthase
(iNOS), the p65 subunit of nuclear factor-kβ
(NF-kβ), protein-tyrosine phosphatase-1B,
TNF-α and interleukin-1β were significantly
elevated by TNF-α in the cell, and EMCD
obviously suppressed the TNF-α-induced
expression of these markers. When the effect
of EMCD was tested simultaneously with
epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)—a
catechin from green tea reported to be anti-
inflammatory—EMCD showed a more
obvious anti-inflammatory activity than
EGCG does [35].
Anticancer Activity
MC extracts in cancer patients, in vitro studies
indicate bitter melon fruit and seed extracts
inhibit the growth of several cancer cell lines,
including prostate adenocarcinoma [36],
human colon cancer (Caco-2 cells) [37], and
the highly metastatic breast cancer cell line
MDA-MB-231 [38].
A research indicated that MC extracts modify
the immune response in cancer patients via
decreased intestinal secretion of interleukin-7,
reduced lymphocyte number, and increased T-
helper and natural killer cell populations [39].
The characterization of the compounds from
bitter gourd and their inhibitory effects on the
activation of Epstein-Barr virus early antigen
(EBV-EA) by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-
acetate (TPA) in Raji cells by compounds 1-18
(MeOH extract) of M. charantia fruit. In
addition, the other extracted compounds
showed inhibitory effect on cancer; two-stage
mouse skin carcinogenesis tests were reported
[40]. It was reported that M. charantia
fractions were also rich in different types of
phenolic compounds that have strong
antioxidant activity as well as perform as
antimutagenic and antitumor compounds [41].
Momordin is another phytochemical that has
clinically demonstrated anticancerous activity
against Hodgkin’s lymphoma in vivo and
several other in vivo studies have shown the
cytostatic and antitumor activity of the entire
plant of bitter melon [42].
Antihyperlipidemic Activity
Five compounds in bitter melon increases the
activity of adenosine-5-monophosphate kinase
(AMPK)—an enzyme that facilitates cellular
glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation.
Hypoglycaemic agents in bitter melon
promotes efficient oxidation of glucose into
fuel, and conversion into starch [17]. The
compounds in bitter melon improves lipid
profile and reduces liver secretion of
apolipoprotein B (Apo B) and apolipoprotein
C- III expression; and increases the expression
of apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA1) and hence
increase the HDL ratio. It also lowers cellular
triglyceride content.
In another in vivo study, bitter melon fruit
and/or seed have been shown to reduce total
cholesterol and triglyceride both in the
presence and absence of dietary cholesterol.
The fruit and seed of bitter melon have
demonstrated (in animal studies) to lower
blood cholesterol levels [19].
Hepatoprotective and Antioxidative
Activity
A carcinogen-induced lipid peroxidation in
liver and DNA damage in lympocytes were
studied by the treatment of M. charantia. The
fruit extract was found to significantly activate
liver enzymes glutathione S-transferase,
glutathione peroxidase and catalase, which
showed a depression following exposure to the
carcinogen. The result suggested the
preventive role of water soluble constituents of
M.charantia fruit during carcinogenesis,
which is mediated possibly by their
modulatory effect on enzymes of
biotransformation and detoxification system of
host [10]. Semis et al. reported antioxidants
and chemoprotective action of M. charantia
fruit extracts [43].

Volume 7, Issue 1
In vivo immunological responses oxidative
stress of M. charantia plant extract on rats
showed decrease in the intestinal secretion of
Interleukin (IL)-7 and an increase in the
secretion of transforming growth factor
(TGF)-β and IL-10 and also inhibits the
degenerative process of oxidative stress [44].
Antifertility Effect
Bitter melon seeds contain momorcharin,
shown to have antifertility effects in female
mice. Bitter melon seed consumption is not
recommended in those seeking to become
pregnant [45]. Other studies showed ethanol
and water extracts of the fruit and leaf
(ingested orally) to be safe during pregnancy.
The seeds, however, have demonstrated the
ability to induce abortions in rats and mice,
and the root has been documented with a
uterine stimulant effect in animals. The fruit
and leaf of bitter melon has demonstrated an in
vivo antifertility effect in female animals; in
male animals, it was reported to affect the
production of sperm negatively. This plant has
been documented to reduce fertility in both
males and females and should therefore not be
used by those undergoing fertility treatment or
seeking pregnancy [46].
Antiviral and Anti HIV Studies
The extract of M. charantia contain α and β
momorcharin, lecithin and MAP30. They have
been documented to have in vitro antiviral
activity against Epstein barr, herpes, HIV [47],
Coxsackie virus B3 and polio viruses [48]. In
vitro studies have shown that bitter melon
extracts and the MAP30 protein analog—
isolated from the seeds of bitter gourd
extracts—possess broad-spectrum
antimicrobial activity; also inhibit the infection
and growth of several viruses, including HIV
[44, 49, 50], Herpes simplex [51, 52]. A
preliminary report on the effect of MC extract
in three HIV patients showed a normalization
of CD4/CD8 ratios with MC treatment. It is
believed that MC extracts inhibit HIV
replication by preventing syncytial formation
and cell-to-cell infection [53]. Another study
explained that HIV-infected cells treated with
alpha- and beta-momorcharin showed a nearly
complete loss of viral antigen while healthy
cells were largely unaffected. “In treating HIV
infections the protein is administered alone or
in conjunction with conventional AIDS
therapies” stated by inventors of MAP-30
protein analog in U.S. Patent. The proteins
(alpha and beta momorcharin) appeared to
modulate the activity of both T and B
lymphocytes and significantly suppressed the
macrophage activity [54].
Bitter melon has also been suggested as a
treatment for AIDS, but the evidence thus far
is too weak to even mention. Laboratory tests
suggest that compounds in bitter melon might
be effective for treating HIV infection. As
most compounds isolated from bitter melon
that impact HIV have either been proteins or
glycoproteins (lectins), neither of which are
well-absorbed, it is unlikely that oral intake of
bitter melon will slow HIV in infected people.
Clearly more research is necessary before this
could be recommended.
Antimicrobial and Antiprotozoal Activities
MC extracts also appear to inhibit the growth
of numerous gram-negative and gram-positive
bacteria, including Escherichia coli,
Salmonella, Shigella [55], Staphylococcus,
Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, and
Helicobacter pylori, and parasitic organisms
Entamoeba histolytica and Plasmodium
falciparum [56]. M. charantia leaves have
been shown to have antiprotozoal activity
against Trypanosoma brucei brucei and
Trypanosoma cruzi [57]. Antimicrobial
activity was evaluated for Pseudomonas
aeruginosa, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae
and Bacillus subtilis by using stokes disc
diffusion and well diffusion methods.
Methanolic plant extract showed a maximum
zone of inhibition in E.coli by disc method but
in well diffusion method Bacilli and Klebsiella
showed maximum inhibitory activity. The
evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy and
antioxidant activity of methanol and aqueous
extract of M. charantia was carried out, which
helps in the development of new, novel drugs
[58]. It was clinically demonstrated that broad
spectrum antimicrobial activity of leaf extracts
of bitter gourd, have reported in vitro
antibacterial activities of water, ethanol, and
methanol against E. coli, Staphylococcus,
Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Streptobacillus and
Streptococcus. An extract of the entire plant

have shown antiprotozoal activity against E.
histolytica [59]. In another study, a fruit
extract of Karela has demonstrated
antibacterial activity against the stomach
ulcer-causing bacteria H. pylori [60].
Antimalarial and Leishmaniasis Activity
According to the research findings of Waako
et al., M. charantia has antimalarial activity
and can thus be used in the prevention and
treatment of malaria. Other findings on crude
extracts of M. charantia showed significant
antiplasmodial activity [61, 62]. However, the
findings by Temitope et al., had shown that M.
charantia cause a significant decrease in mean
haemoglobin concentration in test animals
[63]. In view of the above studies, the use of
M. charantia as a therapy for malaria could
come with a serious consequence, because a
decrease in haemoglobin concentration in
already-anaemic and malaria-infected patients
will be aggregated. In this aspect, future
investigations should be done for clear
findings and conclusion.
Aqueous extract of the green fruits of the
Indian plant M. charantia and purified
Momordicatin structurally established as 4-(o-
carboethoxyphenyl) butanol were evaluated in
vitro and in vivo against kalaazar caused by
Leishmania donovani. 50% inhibitory
concentration (IC50) against Leishmania
promastigotes in vitro for the crude extract and
Momordicatin were 0.6 mg/L and 0.02 mg/L,
respectively. When administered in the
hamster model of visceral leishmaniasis, 100%
parasite clearance was achieved at a dose of
300 mg/kg body weight of crude extract and
10 mg/kg body weight of Momordicatin [64].
Wound Healing Activity
Researchers found that M. charantia Linn.
fruit powder, in the form of an ointment (10%
w/w dried powder in simple ointment base),
showed a statistically significant response (P <
0.01), in terms of wound contracting ability,
wound closure time, period of mepithelization,
tensile strength of the wound and regeneration
of tissues at wound site when compared with
the control group. These results were
comparable with standard drug povidone
iodine ointment in an excision, incision and
dead space wound model in rats [59, 65].
BITTER GOURD IN THE FIELD OF
BIOTECHNOLOGY
Biotechnology is a very broad field of biology
including plant biotechnology, plant genetics,
recombinant DNA technology, microbiology,
immunology, molecular biology, molecular
genetics and supplementary subjects
associated within the subject all are reliant of
each other. Bitter gourd is a highly potent
herb, applied in the field of medical as well as
biotechnology. Bitter gourd serve as a
potential source of a functional protein isolate
as its seeds are rich in protein sources. Soy
protein isolates (SPI) and bitter melon seed
protein isolate (BMSPI) are high quality
protein because of presence of most essential
amino acids isolated. The functionalities of
these proteins were known that they comprise
emulsifying properties and foaming properties
[66]. Moreover, the high expression of
permeability-glycoproteins, P-gp (ATP-
binding cassette [ABC] transporter super
family), was observed which flushes out
hydrophobic drugs from a cell by using energy
obtained by hydrolyzing ATP in the cell
membrane of tumor cells. Higher intracellular
P-gp concentration will lower the intracellular
drug concentration. M. charantia active
compounds such as 1-monopalmitin and its
related compounds inhibit the P-gp activity in
the tumor cells [20, 21, 67–69]. In addition, it
has been seen that M. charantia decreased the
genotoxic activity of methylnitrosamine,
methanesulfonate and tetracycline, as shown
by the decrease in chromosome breakage [70].
Already mentioned regarding polypeptide –p
or p-insulin is an insulin-like hypoglycaemic
protein, shown to lower blood glucose levels
in gerbils, langurs and humans when injected
subcutaneously [71]. The p-insulin works by
mimicking the action of human insulin in the
body and thus may be used as plant-based
insulin replacement in patients with type-1
diabetes [72].
The research on nanoparticles in a number of
crops has evidenced for enhanced germination
and seedling growth, physiological activities
including photosynthetic activity and nitrogen
metabolism, mRNA expression and protein
level, and also positive changes in gene
expression indicating their potential use in
crop improvement. Nanobiotechnology can
boost crop production and quality of plant fruit

Volume 7, Issue 1
and the first evidence from increased plant
biomass, fruit yield and phytomedicine content
in bitter melon (M. charantia) was observed
[73]. Bitter melon was studied as a model to
evaluate the effects of seed treatment with a
carbon-based nanoparticle, fullerol
[C60(OH)20], on yield of plant biomass, fruit
characters and phytomedicine contents in
fruits. Fullerol-treatment resulted in increase
of up to 54% in biomass yield and 24% in
water content. Increases of up to 20% in fruit
length, 59% in fruit number, and 70% in fruit
weight led to an improvement up to 128% in
fruit yield. Contents of two anticancer
phytomedicines—cucurbitacin-B and
lycopene—were enhanced up to 74% and
82%, respectively; contents of two antidiabetic
phytomedicines— charantin and insulin—
were augmented up to 20% and 91%,
respectively [73]. Two comprehensive reviews
have presented evaluation of a variety of
nanomaterials (NMs), mostly metal-based
(MBNMs) and carbon-based (CBNMs), for
their absorption, translocation, accumulation,
and importantly, effects on growth and
development in an array of crop plants [74,
75]. Hence, demonstration of any increase of
its fruit yield and/or phytomedicine content
through nanobiotechnological intervention
could be useful to follow as a model for other
crops. Production of higher plant biomass as a
feedstock for bioenergy production has
recently emerged as an important target in
agriculture [76].
GENETIC ENGINEERING OF
BITTER GOURD
Genetic engineering can be used to produce
desirable agronomic characteristics quickly
and efficiently. Most plant transformation
procedures require a plant regeneration system
for efficient gene transfer, selection, and
regeneration of transgenic plants [77]. M.
charantia has shown the efficient regeneration
protocol for direct organogenesis [78, 79] and
somatic embryogenesis [80, 81]. Gene transfer
studies in cucurbits such as Cucumis melo [82,
83], Crocus sativus [84, 85] and Colocynthis
citrullus [86] have been reported.
Agrobacterium-mediated β-glucuronidase
expression was detected in explants of
immature cotyledonary nodes in M. charantia
[87]. Recently tumor research centre has
reported Agrobacterium-mediated genetic
transformation from cotyledonary nodes of
bitter melon. For genetic transformation of
bitter melon, it is necessary to established
stable plant regeneration protocol from leaf
explants of M. charantia via organogenesis
[88]. An efficient and a simple protocol for
Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic
transformation of bitter melon using leaf disc
as explants had been developed. This
optimized transformation system could be
used for the genetic improvement of bitter
melon [80]. M. charantia has been used as an
alternative therapy for diabetes mellitus as
described above. The study was analyzed and
elucidated that therapeutic targets contributing
to the hypoglycaemic effect of aqueous extract
of MC seeds (MCSE) by transcriptomic
analysis. Protein ingredients aimed at the
hypoglycaemic target were further identified
by proteomic, docking, and receptor binding
assays. The data showed that MSCE (1 g/kg)
significantly lowered the blood glucose level
in normal and diabetic mice. Moreover, MCSE
primarily regulated the insulin signaling
pathway in muscles and adipose tissues,
suggesting that MCSE might target insulin
receptor (IR), stimulate the IR-downstream
pathway, and subsequently display
hypoglycaemic activity in mice [89].
RNA-degrading enzymes, better known as
ribonucleases (RNases), have been studied in
eukaryotic cells for many years. According to
Farkas [90] and Wilson [91] plant
ribonucleases were studied actively before the
1980s. S-glycoproteins, now called S-RNases,
are secreted into the style mucilage where they
are thought to abort the growth of pollen
bearing the same S-allele [92–94]. Interest
began to wane subsequently because little
correlation was found between total RNase
activity and RNA content in most plant
samples and because experiments to determine
the function of individual enzymes were not
feasible at the time. RNase MC is from the
seeds of the bitter gourd M. charantia [94],
which is also self-compatible in addition was
recently crystallized [95]. RNase LE and LX,
isolated from cultured cells of Lycopersicon
esculentum [96, 97] and RNase MC are all S-
like RNases because they exhibit sequence
homology to the S- and the fungal T2-type

RNases [98]. Those plant products which
possess ribonucleases (RNases) are promising
drugs for different cancers based on their
concrete antitumor activities in vitro and in
vivo. The first time purification and
characterization of a 14-kDa RNase,
designated as RNase MC2, in the seeds of
bitter gourd (M. charantia) was carried out
[99]. RNase MC2 manifested potent RNA-
cleavage activity toward baker’s yeast tRNA,
tumor cell rRNA, and an absolute specificity
for uridine. RNase MC2 demonstrated both
cytostatic and cytotoxic activities against
MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Treatment of
MCF-7 cells with RNase MC2 caused nuclear
damage (karyorrhexis, chromatin
condensation, and DNA fragmentation),
ultimately resulting in early/late apoptosis.
Further molecular studies unveiled that RNase
MC2 induced differential activation of
MAPKs and Akt. On the other hand, RNase
MC2 exposure activated caspase-8, caspase-9,
and caspase-7, increased the production of Bak
and cleaved PARP, which in turn contributed
to the apoptotic response. In conclusion,
RNase MC2 is a potential agent which can be
exploited in the worldwide fight against breast
cancer [99].
RAPD markers have been used to analyze the
genetic diversity among 12 different
accessions of M. charantia, collected from
different districts of West Bengal, India. The
presence of SCAR markers in the two varieties
of M. charantia namely var. muricata and var.
charantia has been determined so that
nutritional and medicinal properties could be
exploited judiciously [72]. Molecular markers
such as RAPD and SCAR could be used to
explore the genes associated with medicinal
properties of M. charantia. Genetic diversity
among populations can be determined using
molecular markers. Different types of
molecular markers which has been used to
assess the genetic diversity of M. charantia are
mentioned [72], RAPD markers have been
used extensively in bitter gourd to classify
accessions identify cultivars and analyze
genetic diversity. Changyuan et al. (2005)
have employed RAPD markers in order to
detect genetic relationship in 45 bitter gourd
cultivars, collected from different parts of
South East Asia [100]. Infact, recently, Wang
et al. had cloned and expressed the 498 bp
gene sequence coding for the M. charantia
polypeptide p-gene and have also proved that
it has the hypoglycaemic effect of the
recombinant polypeptide in alloxan-induced
diabetic mice [101].
CONCLUSION
Medicinal plants based on TSM are playing
imperative role in providing healthcare to large
section of population, especially in developing
countries. M. charantia have been providing
many remedies for different diseases from
ancient days to nowadays. It has been used in
various TSM for the treatment of diverse
pathological conditions and diseases. The
main aim of this review was to provide the
link between TSM (especially with reference
to Ayurveda and Unani) and biotechnology
with respect to this fruit/vegetable. The
contribution of the fruit in crop improvement,
biomass of plant, medicinal uses, and a lead
for new drug discoveries will be more
widespread and improve their effectiveness
against diseases when biotechnology and
genetic engineering will be there. There are
still some qualities in it which are unwrapped
and can be surveyed and incessantly, and the
surprises conceal in the fruit will be
materialized.
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Cite this Article
Parray ZA, Parray SA, Islam A. Bitter
Gourd (Momordica charantia): A
Natural Gift in Support of the Research
in Medicine and Biotechnology.
Research & Reviews: A Journal of
Biotechnology. 2017; 7(1):

Bitter gourd (momordica charantia)

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