Key Constituents

Cucurbitane-type triterpenoids (momordicosides)^{[5, 11]}

Now regarded as the main antidiabetic principles.

Charantin^[11]

A mixture of two sterol glucosides, historically credited with the hypoglycaemic effect.

Phytosterols

Polypeptide-p ('plant insulin')^[11]

An insulin-like polypeptide of the fruit and seed.

Vicine (in the seeds)^[12]

A pyrimidine glycoside that can trigger favism in G6PD-deficient people.

Glycosides

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[6, 10, 11]}

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory

Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)^{[1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13]}

Antidiabetic / blood-sugar lowering (improves glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation)

Antioxidant^{[10, 11]}

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory

Bitter digestive tonic / stomachic^[11]

Bitter digestive / stomachic (traditional use for poor digestion); mild laxative

Digestive aid^[11]

Bitter digestive / stomachic (traditional use for poor digestion); mild laxative

Laxative^[11]

Bitter digestive / stomachic (traditional use for poor digestion); mild laxative

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Loss of appetite^[11]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from bitter-tonic action

more plants for loss of appetite →detailed sources →

Arthritis / joint pain^{[6, 11]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Bloating^[11]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

more plants for bloating →detailed sources →

Blood sugar / diabetes support^{[1, 8, 9, 11, 13]}Strong · 9/10

Antidiabetic / blood-sugar lowering (improves glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation)

more plants for blood sugar / diabetes support →detailed sources →

Constipation^[11]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from laxative action

more plants for constipation →detailed sources →

Indigestion^[11]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from bitter-tonic action

more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^[11]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Metabolic support^{[11, 13]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from antidiabetic action

more plants for metabolic support →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^[11]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^[12]Caution

Avoid in pregnancy: bitter melon can stimulate the uterus and has been associated with miscarriage; also avoid during breastfeeding.

Safety note^{[11, 12]}Info

Strong blood-sugar-lowering action: used with insulin or other diabetes medicines it can cause hypoglycaemia - monitor blood glucose and seek medical advice.

Safety note^[12]Caution

People with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency should avoid the seeds, which contain vicine and can cause favism (haemolytic anaemia). Excessive intake may cause abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

References

REF-1213, REF-1214, REF-1215, REF-1216, REF-1217, REF-1218, REF-1219, REF-1220, REF-1221, REF-1222

References & Sources

Kim, S.K., Jung, J., Jung, J.H., Yoon, N. and others (2020) 'Hypoglycemic efficacy and safety of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus', Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 52, pp. 102524. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102524 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102524
Fang, E.F., Froetscher, L., Scheibye-Knudsen, M., Bohr, V.A. and others (2019) 'Emerging Antitumor Activities of the Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)', Current Protein & Peptide Science, 20(3), pp. 296-301. doi:10.2174/1389203719666180622095800 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/1389203719666180622095800
Raina, K., Kumar, D. and Agarwal, R (2016) 'Promise of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) bioactives in cancer prevention and therapy', Seminars in Cancer Biology, 40-41, pp. 116-129. doi:10.1016/j.semcancer.2016.07.002 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcancer.2016.07.002
Basch, E., Gabardi, S. and Ulbricht, C (2003) 'Bitter melon (Momordica charantia): a review of efficacy and safety', American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 60(4), pp. 356-359. doi:10.1093/ajhp/60.4.356 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1093/ajhp/60.4.356
Bora, A.F.M., Kouame, K.J.E., Li, X., Liu, L. and others (2023) 'New insights into the bioactive polysaccharides, proteins, and triterpenoids isolated from bitter melon (Momordica charantia) and their relevance for nutraceutical and food application: A review', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 231, pp. 123173. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123173 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123173
Soo May, L., Sanip, Z., Ahmed Shokri, A., Abdul Kadir, A. and others (2018) 'The effects of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) supplementation in patients with primary knee osteoarthritis: A single-blinded, randomized controlled trial', Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 32, pp. 181-186. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.06.012 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.06.012
Elekofehinti, O.O., Ariyo, E.O., Akinjiyan, M.O., Olayeriju, O.S. and others (2018) 'Potential use of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) derived compounds as antidiabetics: In silico and in vivo studies', Pathophysiology, 25(4), pp. 327-333. doi:10.1016/j.pathophys.2018.05.003 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pathophys.2018.05.003
Leung, L., Birtwhistle, R., Kotecha, J., Hannah, S. and others (2009) 'Anti-diabetic and hypoglycaemic effects of Momordica charantia (bitter melon): a mini review', British Journal of Nutrition, 102(12), pp. 1703-1708. doi:10.1017/S0007114509992054 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114509992054
Krawinkel, M.B. and Keding, G.B (2006) 'Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia): A dietary approach to hyperglycemia', Nutrition Reviews, 64(7 Pt 1), pp. 331-337. doi:10.1301/nr.2006.jul.331-337 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1301/nr.2006.jul.331-337
Fang, E.F. and Ng, T.B (2011) 'Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) is a cornucopia of health: a review of its credited antidiabetic, anti-HIV, and antitumor properties', Current Molecular Medicine, 11(5), pp. 417-436. doi:10.2174/156652411795976583 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/156652411795976583
Cicek, S.S (2022) 'Momordica charantia L. - Diabetes-Related Bioactivities, Quality Control, and Safety Considerations', Frontiers in Pharmacology. doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.904643 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.904643
WebMD (n.d.) 'Bitter Melon: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions'. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-795/bitter-melon Traditional / reference
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-795/bitter-melon
Yedjou, C.G., Grigsby, J., Mbemi, A., Nelson, D., Mildort, B., Latinwo, L. and Tchounwou, P.B (2023) 'The Management of Diabetes Mellitus Using Medicinal Plants and Vitamins', International Journal of Molecular Sciences. doi:10.3390/ijms24109085 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24109085

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