Momordica charantia L. is a vegetable widely cultivated around the world. Its fruits have been used in Asian countries as a folk medicine for the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Here we report eight compounds isolated from the fruits of M. charantia. On the basis of NMR and MS spectroscopic analyses, these compounds were identified as momordicolide ((10E)-3-hydroxyl-dodeca-10-en-9-olide, 1), monordicophenoide A (4-hydroxyl-benzoic acid 4-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl (1 --> 2)-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 2), dihydrophaseic acid 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), 6,9-dihydroxy-megastigman-4,7-dien-3-one (blumenol, 4), guanosine (5), adenosine (6), uracil (7) and cytosine (8). Among them, 1 and 2 are new compounds. Compounds 3-5 were isolated from this plant for the first time.
Fruit ; chemistry ; Glycosides ; analysis ; chemistry ; Momordica charantia ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; analysis ; chemistry

In this study, polyacrylicacid precipitation alkalescence protein from Momordica charantia L. seeds was studied, and the effect of conditions on experiment was also evaluated. Isoelectric precipitation is achieved by adjusting the pH of a protein solution and is based on that a protein's solubility is at minimum at its pI. The sample was titrated to pH 6.0 with citric acid, and 14.62% proteins were precipitated. With hydrochloric acid to pH 4.0, 32.49% proteins were precipitated. With the acetic acid to pH 6.0 and pH 4.0, 26.17% and 38.72% proteins were precipitated, respectively. In the 1 mL Bitter melon seeds extraction(pH 4.0) adjusted by acetic acid, hydrochloric acid and citric acid, the optimum dosage of PAA (1%) precipiting alkalescency protein (pl 8.65-9.30) was 100 microL, 120 microL and 100 microL, respectively. The respective extraction (1mL) was titrated to pH 5.0, pH 4.0, and pH 3.0 by acetic acid. After isoelectric precipitation, the PAA precipitation protein was performed. When concentration of PAA (1%) was 160 microL/mL, the protein decreased in the supernatant was 33.77% at pH 5.0, and 43.56% at pH 3.0. When concentration of PAA (1%) was 120 microL/mL, the protein decreased in the supernatant was 30.83% at pH 4.0. PAA-Protein complex could redissolve in alkaline conditions (pH > 9.0) and the protein most easilly redissolved when the NaCL was 3.0%. The bitter melon seeds extraction after PAA purification flowed through the Sephadex G-75 columns. The peaks I and II were obtained after 175 min and 300 min, respectively. SDS-PAGE and IEF analysis showed that the molecule weight from peaks I was 30 kD with pI 9.5, peaks II 10 kD with pI 9.3.
Acrylic Resins ; chemistry ; Chemical Precipitation ; Momordica charantia ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Plant Proteins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Seeds ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo develop an HPLC for determination of aglycone of momordicoside L in Momordica charantia.

METHODA Kromasil C18 (4.6 mm x 150 mm, 5 microm) column was used. The mobile phase was acetonitrile-H2O (64:36), the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1) and the UV detection wavelength was set 203 nm.

RESULTThe calibration curves were linear from of 0.025 microg to 1 microg (r =0.9911), the contents of aglycone of momordicoside L in Shandong, Henan, Hebei, Jiangxi are 0.211, 0.033, 0.013, 0.007 mg x g(-1), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe method is simple and reliable for determination of aglycone of momordicoside L in M. charantia.

Calibration ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Momordica charantia ; chemistry ; Saponins ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of unsaponifiable matter from the seed oil of Momordica cochinchinensis.

METHODThe fatty oil from the seeds of M. cochinchinensis was extracted with petroleum ether, and the saponification was carried out with potassium hydroxide. The unsaponifiable matter was isolated and purified by silica gel column chromatography, and the structures of their constituents were elucidated by means of IR, MS, 1H-NMR, and authentic chemicals.

RESULTKarounidiol (1), isokarounidiol (2), 5-dehydrokarounidiol (3), 7-oxodihydrokarounidiol (4), beta-sitosterol (5), stigmast-7-en-3beta-ol (6), and stigmast-7,22-dien-3beta-ol (7) were elucidated.

CONCLUSIONThese compounds were found in this plant for the first time.

Molecular Structure ; Momordica ; chemistry ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Oils ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Seeds ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Nature is a rich source of medicinal plants and their products that are useful for treatment of various diseases and disorders. Momordica charantia, commonly known as bitter melon or bitter gourd, is one of such plants known for its biological activities used in traditional system of medicines. This plant is cultivated in all over the world, including tropical areas of Asia, Amazon, east Africa, and the Caribbean and used as a vegetable as well as folk medicine. All parts of the plant, including the fruit, are commonly consumed and cooked with different vegetables, stir-fried, stuffed or used in small quantities in soups or beans to give a slightly bitter flavor and taste. The plant is reported to possess anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial, anti-obesity, and immunomodulatory activities. The plant extract inhibits cancer cell growth by inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, autophagy and inhibiting cancer stem cells. The plant is rich in bioactive chemical constituents like cucurbitane type triterpenoids, triterpene glycosides, phenolic acids, flavonoids, essential oils, saponins, fatty acids, and proteins. Some of the isolated compounds (Kuguacin J, Karaviloside XI, Kuguaglycoside C, Momordicoside Q-U, Charantin, α-eleostearic acid) and proteins (α-Momorcharin, RNase MC2, MAP30) possess potent biological activity. In the present review, we are summarizing the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities of Momordica charantia along with a short account of important chemical constituents, providing a basis for establishing detail biological activities of the plant and developing novel drug molecules based on the active chemical constituents.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Momordica charantia ; chemistry ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology

AIMTo study the biotransformation of kaempferitrin, a major chemical principle of the fruits of Siraitia grosvenori (Swingle) C. Jeffery, with human intestinal flora.

METHODSThe kaempferitrin was incubated with human intestinal flora. The biotransformation products were isolated and purified by chromatographic methods and the structures were determined by spectroscopic techniques.

RESULTSKaempferitrin was converted into kaempferol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside (afzelin, I) , kaempferol 7-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside (II), kaempferol (III) and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (IV) by human intestinal flora. rhamnoside (II), kaempferol (III) and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (IV) by human intestinal flora.

CONCLUSIONThe structure of kaempferitrin can be biotransformatedly converted by human intestinal flora.

Bacteria ; metabolism ; Biotransformation ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Humans ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Kaempferols ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Mannosides ; metabolism ; Momordica ; chemistry ; Parabens ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proanthocyanidins ; metabolism

This study explored how bitter melon powder (BMP) alters the colonic microenvironment during the development of obesity-associated fatty liver in rats. We observed that BMP effectively inhibited the body weight gain and lipid accumulation in the liver, ameliorated glucose intolerance, and increased the colon weight after an 8-week treatment compared to that in the high-fat diet (HFD) group. BMP significantly decreased fecal water toxicity towards HT-29 cells, as revealed by the cell counting kit (CCK)-8 assay results, and the mRNA expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in colon mucosa. Additionally, gut permeability in the BMP group was restored to normal levels. Finally, BMP alleviated the inflammatory state of the rat colon mucosa and liver tissues as well as the systemic inflammation.
Animals ; Colon ; drug effects ; Dietary Fats ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Fatty Liver ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Feces ; chemistry ; HT29 Cells ; Humans ; Momordica charantia ; Obesity ; complications ; Powders ; Rats

AIMTo study the regulation effects of Momordica saponins on endocrine function in senile mice.

METHODS15-month Kunming mice (female), were divided into senile control group (SC), experimental group 1 and 2 (E1 and E2). 10 4-month mice were as young control group (YC). All mice were fed with general foodstuff, SC and YC drank tap water, while two experimental groups drank tap water supplied to 100 mg/L and 200 mg/L Momordica saponins respectively. Serum was assayed after 5 weeks. At the same time, levels of estrogen receptor and its mRNA were assayed in cultured thymocyte from 12-month rat.

RESULTSSerum ACTH and estradiol levels declined markedly in senile mice compared with young mice. ACTH levels increased in some extent in two experimental groups, while there had significant difference only in E2. Serum estradiol increased obviously, but there was no significant distinct between E1 and E2. The most important was that ER levels increased obviously, and there was no any change of ER mRNA levels in rat thymocyte cultured in medium contained different content of Momordica saponins.

CONCLUSIONMomordica saponins could improve endocrine function in senile mice by increasing ACTH level and expression of ER.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; metabolism ; Aging ; drug effects ; Animals ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Momordica ; chemistry ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; Thymocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo establish a weight-marking method and evaluate Siraitia grosvenorii germplasms.

METHODThe characters of 21 kinds of S. grosvenorii germplasms in the field and the lab were analyzed, seven important characters were selected to weight the marks. A general evaluation index was made and used to evaluate S. grosvenorii germplasms.

RESULTThe evaluation result of 21 kinds of S. grosvenorii germplasms by the weight-marking method was consistent with production practice. Meanwhile, the new variety Yongqing No. 1 and major cultivars were the superior germplasms.

CONCLUSIONA rational technique system of evaluating S. grosvenorii germplasms was established, and the superior germplasms were selected.

Biomass ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; chemistry ; standards ; Fruit ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Momordica ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Quality Control ; Triterpenes ; analysis

Luo han kuo fruit (Siraitia grosvenori Swingle), a fruit native to China, has been used as a natural sweetening agent for centuries and has been reported to be beneficial for diabetic population. However, limited research has been conducted to elucidate the relationship between the sweetening action and biological parameters that may be related to potential health benefits of LHK fruit (Luo Han Kuo fruit). The present study examined the effect of LHK fruit and its chemical components on insulin secretion using an in vitro cell model system. Mogroside V is the most abundant and the sweetest chemical component among the mogrosides in LHK fruit. The experimental data demonstrated that the crude LHK extract stimulated the secretion of insulin in pancreatic beta cells; furthermore, pure mogroside V isolated from LHK fruit also exhibited a significant activity in stimulating insulin secretion by the beta cells, which could partially be responsible for the insulin secretion activity of LHK fruit and fruit extract. The current study supports that LHK fruit/extract has the potential to be natural sweetener with a low glycemic index, and that mogroside V, possible other related mogrosides, can provide a positive health impact on stimulating insulin secretion.
Animals ; Cucurbitaceae ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Insulin ; secretion ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; secretion ; Momordica ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Sweetening Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Triterpenes ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology