The Medicinal Potential of Momordica Charantia in Diabetes Management

Abstract

Medicinal plants contain phytochemicals that exhibit specific inhibitory effects to infectious agents in the living system. Momordica charantia (M. charantia) known as bitter melon has a long history of use as a medical herb or drug for treating several chronic diseases. M. charantia contains numerous bioactive compounds like saponins, alkaloids, polypeptides, minerals, vitamins, with the ability to fight against several disorders like diabetes mellitus, abdominal pain, tumor proliferation, cancer. Steroidal saponins are present in bitter lemon with antidiabetic effects, hence plant products can serve as a natural anti-diabetic drug. This article focuses on the role and mechanism of action of saponins in M. charantia in diabetes management.

Keywords: Momordica charantia, Saponins, Charantia, Diabetes melitus, Disease management