Partial purification of a hypoglycemic fraction from the unripe fruits ofMomordica charantia Linn (bitter gourd)

Abstract

A new method was developed to purify partially an orally active hypoglycemic fraction from the unripe fruits ofMomordica charantia Linn. The residue after centrifugation of the fruit juice was extracted with ethanol and the concentrated ethanolic extract was further extracted with diethyl ether. In normal rabbits after oral administration, the ether extract at a dose of 0.75 g/kg body wt decreased the fasting blood glucose by 26% (P<0.01). It was compared with charantin, the isolation procedure of which led to loss of hypoglycemic activity many times. Our new method of isolation is simple and the hypoglycemic effect is retained more consistently after purification.