Karela

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Content General information

Cultivation Active constituents

Indications

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Content (cont.)Toxicity

Drug interactions

warnings

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General info.Botanical name : Monordica

charantia

English name : Bitter cucmber , Bitter melon , Blasma pear

Indian name : Karela

Family : Cucurbitaceae 4

General info. (cont.)Grows in tropical areas:◦Asia

◦East Africa

◦Amazon

◦India 5

Cultivation Cultivated during worm season i.e during April to July

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Active constituents Saponins

Alkaloids

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Active constituents (cont.)

Glycosides:

◦Momordin

◦Charantin

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Active constituents (cont.)

Glycosides:

◦Charantosides

◦Goya glycosides

◦Momordicosides 9

Indications Used as a remedy for:

◦Diabetes

◦Cardio protection

◦Fruit pulp is Anthelmintic

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Indications (cont.) Fruit is considered as:◦Tonic ◦Stimulant◦Laxative

The fruit juice is employed for diabetes , malaria , worms and parasites

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Toxicity Many in vivo studies have demonstrated the relatively low toxicity of all parts of the bitter melon plant when ingested orally

The seed contains vicine and therefore can trigger symptoms of favism in susceptible individuals. 1

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Drug InteractionsMay potentiate insulin and anti-diabetic drugs.

May potentiate cholesterol-lowering drugs.

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S.E. & WarningsContraindicated with Pregnant women as it stimulates the uterus and may cause premature birth

It can sometimes make heart burn and ulcers worse

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Conclusion Bitter melon contains:

Saponins

Alkaloids

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Conclusion (cont.) Bitter melon contains:

Glycosides:

◦Charantosides

◦Goya glycosides

◦Momordicosides 16

Conclusion (cont.) Bitter melon used as:Antimalarial Antidiabetic Laxative StimulantTonic 1

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Conclusion (cont.) Bitter melon is contraindicated in:◦Pregnancy◦Gastric ulcers & heart burns ◦G-6P deficiency (due to vicine in seed)

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Conclusion (cont.) Bitter melon has low toxicity profile when ingested orally

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Conclusion (cont.) Bitter melon may potentiate the action of insulin and other anti -diabetics

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Thank you