Phytochemical and Pharmacological Investigations of Crude Aqueous Extract of Momordica charantia

Abstract

Fatema Khatun, Mim Binti Akhlas, Tania Parvin, Anzuman Akter, Muhammad Torequl Islam and Razina Rouf

The search for new therapeutic remedies from natural sources is a continuous process. Momordica charantia under the family Cucurbitaceous is commonly known as tita korola in Bangladesh. Traditionally, it is used to treat many diseases, including diabetes and obesity, infections, cough, respiratory diseases, wounds and skin diseases, ulcer, gout and rheumatism, spasm, and cancer. This study aimed at the evalualtion of toxicity, anti-inflammatory, membrane stabilizing and thrombolytic activity of M. charantia aqueous leaf extract by applying a number of in vitro and ex vivo test systems. For this, toxicity analysis was done in Allium cepa, while anti-inflammatory, and membrane stabilizing and clotlysis capacity were tested by using egg albumin and human erythrocytes, respectively. Additionally, preliminary phytochemical analysis was also done. The results suggest that the crude aqueous crude extract of M. charantia possesses alkaloid, flavonoid, terpinoid, saponins, glycoside, tannins, and reducing sugars. The crude extract exhibited toxicity in A. cepa in a concentration and time-dependent manner. No adaptation capacity of DNA damage was seen during the exposure time (24-72 h). The extract at 0.03 – 0.14% (v/v) significantly (p <0.05, p <0.01, p <0.001) inhibited protein denaturation, membrane lysis and clot lysis capacity in a concentration-dependent manner. Of note, the extract exerted toxic effects at high concentrations, while protective effects against toxic and cytotoxic effects at low concentrations. M. charantia may be one of the potential sources of phytotherapeutic agents for various diseases, including oxidative stress, inflammatory diseases and cancer.

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