Charantia Var Research Articles

Genetic analysis and identification of SSR marker linked topowdery mildew resistance in bitter gourd (<i>Momordica charantia </i>L.)

The inheritance of powdery mildew resistance in bitter gourd resistant line IIHR-144-1 was studied in cross with two susceptible lines Arka Harit and IIHR Sel-5-8. The segregation ratios in F2 and backcross progenies indicated that resistance is governed by dominant-recessive epistasis or dominant inhibitory epistasis, indicating the involvement of more than one pairs of genes, one dominant and one recessive for resistance along with other background minor genes in the resistant line IIHR-144-1. Bulk segregant analysis of F2 population of cross between IIHR-144-1 and Arka Harit using SSR markers identified McSSR 57 produced a polymorphic DNA fragment that co-segregated with disease reaction. Considering the cross compatibility between Momordica charantia L. and M. charantia var. muricata (IIHR-144-1) the resistance trait can be transferred to cultivated species through hybridization and selection.

Standardisation of an efficient RNA isolation protocol from the seeds of Momordica charantia var. muricata (Willd.): A Comparative Evaluation

Extraction of high-quality total RNA from Momordica charantia var. muricata seeds is difficult due to the presence of polyphenolic and polysaccharide compounds which bind to nucleic acids and thus they co-precipitate and contaminate the RNA samples. The current study aimed to find out a reliable and reproducible RNA extraction method for obtaining good-quality RNA from the seeds of Momordica charantia var. muricata (Willd). The RNA was isolated from seed tissues with four different extraction protocols including the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method, TRIzol (Invitrogen) method, GenElute™ total RNA purification kit (Sigma-Aldrich) and Plant RNeasy mini kit (Qiagen). The Qiagen RNeasy plant mini kit was the most efficient extraction method providing the highest RNA yield and good quality. The method successfully enhanced the yield of RNA to 923.27 ± 58.64 ng/μl and electrophoresis revealed two distinct bright 28S and 18S rRNA bands and spectrophotometric quantification detected A260/ A280 ratio of 2.04±0.01 within the desired range of 1.8-2. To verify that the RNA quality obtained was appropriate for downstream molecular applications, the isolated RNA samples were converted into cDNA and PCR amplification of the cDNA was performed using a housekeeping gene (Actin 7) and a dormancy-specific gene (DOG1). The current investigation reports on a method for isolating high-quality RNA from M. charantia var. muricata seeds for future dormancy gene expression studies.

Genetic control of fruit length, external colour and number of fruits per vine in bitter gourd studied using Charantia × Muricata crosses

The present study was undertaken to ascertain the genetic control of external fruit colour, fruit length, and the number of fruits per vine in bitter gourd using reciprocal crosses of Momordica charantia var. muricata and M. charantia var. charantia and to identify suitable lines of M. charantia var. muricata to be used in bitter gourd improvement programmes. Muricata accession collected from Girandurukotte (GK), Sri Lanka, was selected as a suitable accession for crop improvement based on higher gynoecy and consistency of characteristics. Crossing success between Charantia and Muricata varieties was 100 % indicating cross-compatibility between the two types. External fruit colour, fruit length and the number of fruits per vine of bitter gourd were found to be quantitative traits, potentially controlled by many genes, each with a small effect. The number of fruits per vine was found to show cytoplasmic inheritance, as the F1 generation recorded fruit numbers per vine similar to those of Charantia varieties, when Charantia varieties were used as the female parent of the reciprocal crosses made between Charantia and Muricata varieties. However, the suspected cytoplasmic effect was not useful, as it influenced to reduce the number of fruits per vine. In addition, the number of fruits per vine showed several transgressive segregants in both extremes of the F2 populations. In bitter gourd improvement programmes, GK Muricata accession may be used to improve cultivated Charantia varieties with respect to fruit characteristics such as external fruit colour, fruit length and the number of fruits per vine through a breeding program with the directional selection made towards obtaining the desired characters.

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure Analyses in Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.) Based on Agro-Morphological and Microsatellite Markers.

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is an important vine crop of the Cucurbitaceae family and is well known for its high nutritional and medicinal values. However, the genetic variation remains largely unknown. Herein, 96 diverse bitter gourd genotypes were undertaken for diversity analysis using 10 quantitative traits, and 82 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Out of 82 SSRs, 33 were polymorphic and the mean polymorphism information content (PIC) value was 0.38. Marker, JY-003 revealed a maximum (0.81) PIC value and, the number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 7 (average 3.46). The value of gene diversity showed the presence of a significant level of polymorphism among these genotypes. The unweighted pair group method (UPGMA) cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into two major clusters of which Cluster I comprised mostly small and medium-fruited genotypes of both M. charantia var. charantia and M. charantia var. muricata, whereas Cluster II included mostly long and extra-long fruited genotypes. Furthermore, these genotypes were divided into six distinct groups based on population structure analysis. The diversity analysis based on 10 quantitative traits revealed that earliness and high-yielding ability were exhibited by the predominantly gynoecious line DBGS-21-06 followed by DBGS-48-00. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the first two components exhibited more than 50% of the total genetic variation. The present study deciphered a higher magnitude of agro-morphological and genetic diversity in 96 bitter gourd genotypes. Therefore, trait-specific genotypes identified in this study could be utilized in breeding programmes directed towards the development of improved cultivars and hybrids of bitter gourd.

Momordica charantia L. var. muricata Willd is a donor for higher fruit number and yield in bitter gourd breeding

Abstract The potential of Momordica charantia var. muricata, a little-known wild form, as a source of favourable alleles in breeding and improvement of bitter melons (M. charantia var. charantia), is demonstrated. The M. charantia var. charantia cultivar Priyanka and M. charantia var. muricata accession IC634896 were crossed with each other and cross ability and performance of F1 plants were studied. These botanical varieties were fully cross-compatible on either direction. Surprisingly, cross of Priyanka × IC634896 produced 80.0 fruits compared to 17.0 in Priyanka and fruit yield per plant (2287.4 g) was more than double that in Priyanka (1042.3 g). This hybrid has to be back crossed with commercial cultivar to improve its fruit size, with no compromise on fruit number. This is the first study showing the promise of M. charantia var. muricata as a potential donor in bitter melon breeding.

Studies on Genetic Variability, Correlation Analysis in Mithipagal (Momordica charantia var. muricata) Genotypes

The present investigation was carried out in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to study the “Genetic variability and correlation analysis in Mithipagal (Momordica charantia var. muricata) genotypes”. Observations on vine length, days to male flower inflorescence, days to female flower inflorescence, node of first male flower appearance, node of first female flower appearance, sex ratio, number of fruits per vine, fruit weight, fruit length, fruit girth, number of seeds per fruit, yield per vine, ascorbic acid, protein content, iron content and total soluble solids were recorded. Variability and correlation analysis among genotypes were examined. The results, showed that yield per plant had high positive and high significant correlation with fruit weight, fruit girth, number of seeds per fruit, vine length and fruit length. High genotypic co-efficients of variation (GCV) were found for fruit yield per vine, fruit weight, TSS, fruit length, vine length, fruit girth, node of first female flower, number of fruits per vine, number of seeds per fruit, iron, protein content when genetic characteristics were taken into account, However low GCV was found for days to the first male and female flowering. Phenotypic variants were always greater than genotypic variances. For traits such asyield per vine, fruit weight, TSS, fruit length, vine length, fruit girth, number of fruits per vine, number of. seeds per fruit, node of first male flower appearance, node of first female flower appearance, sex ratio, vitamin C, protein, iron content high heritability was found together with high genetic advance in percent of mean, indicating that these features are under additive gene control and hence selection for genetic improvement would be successful. Node of first male flower appearance showed low heritability combined with low genetic advance as a percentage of the mean indicating that non-additive gene effects were involved in the expression of this trait and hence selection for such a trait could not be beneficial. The knowledge of these statistical factors would be useful in identifying genotypes with greater yield potential that might be used in the improvement of mithipagal.

Effects of dietary wild bitter melon (Momordica charantia var. abbreviate Ser.) extract on glucose and lipid metabolism in HFD/STZ-induced type 2 diabetic rats.

Plant-based extracts to interfere with the onset of diabetes may be a promising approach towards type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is popularly consumed as an edible and medicinal resource with hypoglycemic effect in China. Wild bitter gourd (Momordica Charantia var. abbreviata Ser.) is a variant of bitter gourd, but there are relatively few studies on it. The purpose of the experiment is to first screen out the most effective extraction part of Momordica charantia L. and Momordica Charantia var. abbreviata Ser. through the hypoglycemic activity experiment in vitro, and by using a high-fat and high-sugar diet with STZ-induced diabetic rat model in vivo to explore the possible mechanism of action against diabetes. This study first performed α-glucosidase, PTP1B and lipase activities inhibition experiments on the alcohol and water extracts of Momordica charantia L. and Momordica Charantia var. abbreviata Ser. Sprague Dawley rats were either given normal feed or a high sugar and fat diet for four weeks, followed STZ (25 mg/kg, via i. p.) was given. Rats with fasting blood glucose ≥11.1 mmol/l after one week were deemed to be diabetic, treatments were administered for four weeks, and then blood samples were used to evaluate hematological and biochemical indicators, and liver was removed for post-analysis. The expression levels of p-AMPK, AMPK, p-PI3K, PI3K, p-AKT, AKT, p-GSK3β, GSK3β, p-IRS-1, IRS-1, GLUT2 were determined by Western blot. At the same time, the chemical components was identified by liquid-mass spectrometry. Data showed that the ethanol extract of wild bitter gourd (WBGE) had the best ability to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism in vitro. Therefore, we further investigated the antidiabetic effects of oral consumption of WBGE on high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T2DM in SD rats. WBGE effectively reduced blood glucose and lipid levels, alleviated glucose intolerance and insulin resistant. Moreover, WBGE consumption could also inhibited oxidant responses and inflammatory damage. Mechanism studies have shown that WBGE may act by regulating AMPK/PI3K signaling pathway. On the other hand, the content of total phenol, total flavonoids, total saponins and total polysaccharide were measured by UV, 27 compounds were identified by LC-MS. These studies explored the role and mechanism of WBGE in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, and may support the utilization and further investigation of wild bitter gourd as a dietary intervention strategy to prevent diabetes and related metabolic abnormalities.

On the development of descriptors in small bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L. var. muricata (Willd.) Chakrav)

Small bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L. var. muricata (Willd.) Chakrav.) is an under-utilized vegetable with ethnobotanical and therapeutic values, under domestication interphase. This taxon deserves a distinct crop status, owing to the existence of well-marked distinguishing morphological traits, unique flavour and taste apart from M. charantia var. charantia, wide variability within the taxon, preferential cultivation by the traditional farmers in Indian subcontinent and occurrence of distinct, named landraces. However, presently this crop is facing a threat of genetic erosion, restricting mostly at the homestead level throughout the region. In the present study, seventy-four small bitter gourd collections from across India were assessed for understanding morphological variability and their classification, and further devising key descriptors helpful for effective characterization and utilization. In order to describe it under a distinct taxon level, botanical description is also worked out. Morphological traits such as shape and lobing of leaf, shape and size of fruit, nature of tubercles and ridges, and size, shape and colour of seeds, besides robustness and extended growth period, showed remarkable character differentiation from cultivated bitter gourd. A set of 45 characterization and 35 evaluation descriptors have been developed, out of which 27 characterization and 26 evaluation descriptors are categorized under the minimum descriptor list.

Mapping the QTL and tagging yield traits in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) using microsatellite markers

A genetic map spanning 1287.99 cM across 11 linkage groups was constructed following the segregation of microsatellite markers in an F2:3 mapping population generated by crossing high yielding cultivar Priyanka (M. charantia var. charantia) and M. charantia var. muricata accession IC634896. QTLs were identified for 24 traits including yield-contributing traits such as fruit length, breadth, weight and number, flesh thickness, node number and days taken for first pistillate flower emergence, numbers of staminate and pistillate flowers, and other seed-, vine- and leaf-related traits. Inclusive Composite Interval Mapping (ICIM) has revealed 60 QTLs on seven chromosomes, including 37 major QTLs with LOD values ranging from 3.1 to 15.2, explaining 1.8–35.9% phenotypic variation (PVE%). Twenty three QTLs for fruit traits (LOD 3.1 to 7.6, PVE% 5.5 to 35.9), 13 for flower traits (LOD 3.1 to 15.2, PVE% 7.0 to 26.0), seven each for seed and leaf traits (LOD 3.2 to 10.8 and 3.5 to 6.5, PVE% 5.6 to 26.3 and 3.2 to 15.8, respectively), 10 for vine traits (LOD 3.2 to 8.7, PVE% 1.8 to 17.6), were identified. Single marker analysis identified 129 hits for the marker-trait association (LOD >3.0, PVE% 11.62 to 29.34). Using the least and best performing F2:3 plants, markers S13, KAUBG_5 and KAUBG_11 were validated for co-segregation with fruit breadth, first pistillate flower node, and number of pistillate flowers and fruits per plant, respectively. QTL map and trait-tagged markers identified in this first microsatellite-based linkage map will significantly assist in marker assisted breeding in bitter gourd.

Comparative analysis of the metabolites from the rind, pulp and seeds of two varieties of bitter gourd using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

About 40 to 90% of the population in many developing countries uses traditional medicine. The use of traditional medicine is increasing in developing countries because of the high cost and fear of side effects of allopathic medicine. Especially for treating lifestyle diseases like diabetes, the number of people adopting traditional medication is increasing yearly. Bitter gourd is grown in tropical and subtropical regions and is one of the important plant species used for treating diabetes due to its antidiabetic, anti-lipidemic and antioxidant properties. Fruits of bitter gourd are the main plant parts used for treating diabetes. Bitter gourd fruits are used as a vegetable and consuming them regularly is likely to help in diabetes management with less drug dependency. However, the bitter taste of the fruits is deterrent. Between Momordica charantia var. charantia and Momordica charantia var. muricata, muricata is relatively less bitter. In this study, we extracted the secondary metabolites from the outer rind, inner pulp and seeds from the fruits of both varieties and profiled them by GC-MS analysis. We identified several secondary metabolites and for some of them, biological activities were reported earlier. Identification of these compounds supported the medicinal properties of bitter gourd and formed the basis for the characterization of purified compounds in the future.

Stem cambial variants of Taiwan lianas

BackgroundCambium in lianas, responsible for secondary growth, develop diverse and diagnostic traits during the climbing phase. Studies on the cross-section of Taiwanese liana cambial variants are scarce. We collected multiple stem cross-sections from 287 liana species belonging to 52 families. Each sample was examined on five occasions, and the observations were documented.ResultsThe results showed that approximately 22 cambial variants types were displayed in Taiwan lianas. Among these, axial vascular elements in radial segments were the most common, followed by the variants with the irregular conformation and intraxylary phloem. Based on our assessment, we provide the following identification features of a few families: Apocynaceae had intraxylary phloem; Convolvulaceae had intraxylary phloem combined with successive cambia; Lardizabalaceae, Menispermaceae, and Ranunculaceae possessed axial vascular elements in segments; Piperaceae had external primary vascular bundle cylinder combined with axial vascular elements in segments; Vitaceae had axial vascular elements in segments combined with irregular conformation. Axial vascular elements in segments and intraxylary phloem appeared in six or five combination types, showing that these two types combined with many variants are helpful for the identification of lianas. Two species, Momordica charantia var. abbreviata, and Momordica cochinchinensis had a cambium element in the outer cylinder of cortical bicollateral vascular bundles and formed directional layers of successive cambia.ConclusionsOur study documented regular secondary growth with a single cambium in 36 species and cambial variants present in 16 species of Taiwanese lianas. Furthermore, we provide crucial baseline data on liana cambial variations, thereby improving our understanding of their morphology and identification.

Effects of Dietary Wild Bitter Melon (Momordica Charantia var. Abbreviate Ser.) Extract on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in HFD/STZ-Induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Effects of Dietary Wild Bitter Melon (Momordica Charantia var. Abbreviate Ser.) Extract on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in HFD/STZ-Induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Biochemical compositions, antioxidant activity, and in vitro antibacterial activity of extract from wild bitter melon (Momordica charantia var. abbreviata Ser.)

Wild bitter melon (Momordica charantia var. abbreviata Ser.) is a type of vine that grows wildly in the mountains and plains in Vietnam. The main use parts of the tree are fruit, stem, and leaf that can be eaten as vegetables. This study aims to (1) identify several bioactive chemical compounds in the stems and leaves of bitter melon trees in the forests in the district of Mang Yang, Gia Lai province; (2) evaluate the nutrient composition, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial ability of fresh juice and extract with ethanol 70°. The results indicated that fresh juice and ethanol 70° extract currently inhibited the growth of experimental strains of microorganisms, in which ethanol 70o extract gives the highest antimicrobial effect. The qualitative results determined that the chemical components of wide bitter melon consist of flavonoids, saponins, tannins, free reducing sugar, organic acids, starch, and fatty acids as the basis for the standardization of exploitation of medicinal resources this material.

Chloroplast gene matK holds the barcodes for identification of Momordica (Cucurbitaceae) species from Indian subcontinent

DNA barcoding is a supplementary tool in plant systematics, extensively used to resolve the species level controversies. This paper details the identification of DNA barcodes for seven species of Momordica, using the chloroplast gene matK. Since the species M. cymbalaria has been confused as a member of the genus Luffa, 26 accessions of Momordica belonging to seven Indian species and two accessions of Luffa acutangula were included in this study. Analysis of matK sequences has yielded distinct barcodes in M. charantia var. charantia, M. subangulata subsp. renigera, M. cochinchinensis, M. balsamina, M. cymbalaria and also in Luffa acutangula. Evolutionary status of each species was reflected as nucleotide polymorphisms in each sequence. The wild species M. dioica and M. sahyadrica have yielded one barcode but failed to get differentiated. Further, this study provides conclusive proof that M. cymbalaria is a member of Momordica genus. The phylogram generated was successful to distinguish the monoecious species of this genus, M. charantia, M. balsamina and M. cymbalaria, from the dioecious species M. dioica, M. sahyadrica, M. subangulata subsp. renigera and M. cochinchinensis. Thus, matK locus, by accumulating the evolutionary sequence variations, is proven efficient to differentiate the Momordica species and to reveal their relatedness.

Comparative GC-MS Analysis of Methanolic Extracts from Different Parts of Bitter Gourd (<i>Momordica charantia</i> L.) Fruit

Medicinal plants are used in traditional medicine since the prehistoric period. They are considered a rich resource for developing single drugs and formulations due to a wide variety of bioactive phytochemicals present. Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is an important tropical and subtropical medicinal plant commonly cultivated in Asian and African countries for its health and nutritional properties. The bitter gourd fruits possess antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-obesity, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-helminthic, and anti-HIV properties. In this study, we extracted the phytochemicals from the rind, pulp, and seeds of the two botanical varieties of bitter gourd, Momordica charantia var. charantia and Momordica charantia var. muricata in methanol, and subjected them to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Phytochemical analysis revealed several important bioactive compounds such as n-Hexadecanoic acid, Linolenic acid, Vitamin E, Sitosterol, Stigmasterol, and Phytol. Biological activities were reported for some of these compounds. Identification of these compounds validates the medicinal value of bitter gourd. Further studies are to be carried out to isolate, characterize, and study the individual compound's mechanism of action.

Comparative evaluation on effect of drying methods on physicochemical characterization of wild bitter gourds Momordica charantia var. Muricata

Momordica charantia var. muricata has shown a higher rate of antibacterial properties due to presence of specific secondary metabolites. In this paper, we have used an indigenously built convectional drying system that unlike other available systems does not depend on hot air rather a different approach altogether. The physicochemical characterization is compared amongst vacuum-assisted convectional drying, freeze drying and microwave drying, using instrumental analysis and wet-chemistry. The pharmacological efficacy of wild bitter gourd (WBG) in treatment of various ailments and medical conditions inclusive of diabetes mellitus, is a research gap with limited in-vivo studies available. WBG has shown effectiveness against inoculums of gram positive and gram-negative bacteria even post this drying technique. The dried WBG showed appreciable antioxidant activity (DPPH) making it a viable option to be utilized as an ingredient in production of fried products to extend the rancidity period. The evaluation of physical properties including color, water activity, shrinkage ratio and rehydration ratio have been discussed. Retention of total phenolic content (TPC), chlorophyll and ascorbic acid, post drying was evaluated. The research aims to explore chemical potency and changes in physicochemical parameters of WBG upon different drying techniques. Practical Application: Since the medicinal value is higher; making it available for commercial production of nutraceuticals and pharmaceutical drugs, the product requires to be dried and powdered, and the nutritive composition needs to be evaluated. Utilization as ingredient in production of fried products to extend the rancidity period. The retention of certain nutritive compounds in wild bitter gourd powder (WBGP) can be utilized as value added product and as ingredient in development of functional foods and beverages based on its medicinal properties.

A phylogenetic analysis of Momordica (Cucurbitaceae) in India based on karyo-morphology, nuclear DNA content and rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequences.

The infrageneric delimitation of Momordica, a medicinally important genus of Cucurbitaceae, is ill-defined until date. Momordica chromosomes are extremely small and are difficult to stain and visualize because of the dense cytoplasmic background. We have conducted karyomorphometric analysis by EMA method in five Indian Momordica species, and the nuclear genome sizes were estimated by flow cytometry for the first time. The somatic chromosome numbers ranged from 2n = 18 to 56 in the species. We have resolved previously disputed chromosome numbers in M. cymbalaria and M. dioica as 2n = 18 (lowest) and 2n = 56, respectively. Chromosome counts in the other species were re-confirmed as 2n = 22 in M. charantia, 2n = 28 in M. cochinchinensis and 2n = 56 in M. subangulata. The largest genome size was recorded in M. cymbalaria (3.74pg 2C-1), while the smallest size (0.72pg 2C-1) was detected in M. charantia var. charantia. The nuclear genome sizes were analysed in comparison to chromosome numbers and total chromosome lengths of the species. Karyomorphometric indices showed comparable symmetric karyotypes in the species except in M. cymbalaria having tendency towards asymmetry. The UPGMA phenogram and principle component analysis based on nuclear DNA contents and karyomorphometric parameters demonstrated interspecies differences, intraspecific distinction within M. charantia varieties and highlighted distinction of M. cymbalaria. This study was further supported by the rDNA ITS sequence-based phylogenetic analysis which revealed the monophyletic origin of the Indian members of Momordica and clarified the intraspecies relationship among the studied members. As a whole, the study brought out new insights on species diversification within the genus Momordica in India and would benefit further studies on biosystematics and plant breeding programmes.

Protein extracts from Momordica charantia var. charantia and M. charantia var. muricata show anti-lipidemic and antioxidant properties in experimental type 2 diabetic rats.

Plant-derived compounds are used to manage dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic condition. In this study, anti-lipidemic and antioxidant properties of the protein extracts from "Charantia" (PEC) and "Muricata" (PEM) varieties of Momordica charantia were analyzed by quantifying lipids, hepatic, renal, and oxidative stress markers, and histopathological examination of liver and kidney tissues. Protein extracts were orally administered at 10 (PEC10, PEM10) or 20mg/kg body weight (PEC20, PEM20). Levels of cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides decreased but high-density lipoprotein increased significantly in treated rats as compared to untreated diabetic rats (p< .01), and attained normal physiological range in both doses. Levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and reduced glutathione increased but thiobarbituric acid reactive substances decreased significantly in treated rats as compared to untreated diabetic rats (p< .01), and attained normal physiological range in PEM20 only. Histopathological examinations supported a protective role for the protein extracts against oxidative stress. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Momordica charantia, a well-known medicinal plant is traditionally used for treating diabetes in India as well as other countries. The whole plant was shown to have medicinal importance. Anti-diabetic potential of this plant was scientifically established largely using organic extracts and water extract mainly from the fruits of this plant. However, protein extracts from the seeds and fruit pulp of this plant were also proven to have anti-diabetic activity. The present study illustrates the anti-lipidemic and antioxidant effect of protein extracts from the fruit pulp of two varieties of M. charantia (Charantia and Muricata) in Streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats. This study provides experimental evidence in support of its use in the management of type 2 diabetes-related complications.

A New 27-Norcucurbitane Triterpenoid from the Fruits of Momordica charantia var. abbreviata

A new 27-norcucurbitane triterpenoid, 5β,19-epoxy-3β-hydroxy-19(R)-methoxy-27-norcucurbita-6,23(E)-dien-25-one (1), was isolated from the fruits of Momordica charantia var. abbreviata. Its structure was elucidated by spectroscopic analyses including 1D and 2D NMR (1H, 13C, COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) and comparison with the data of known analogues.

Genetic expression of fruit physico-chemical characters in bitter gourd inter-specific crosses

ABSTRACT Improvement of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) has been constrained by a lack of adequate information on genetic control of fruit characteristics. Generation mean analysis was employed to understand the nature of gene action involved in conditioning of the fruit physico-chemical characters length, diameter, weight, total chlorophyll, β-carotene, and ascorbic acid contents, utilizing two contrasting crosses involving botanical varieties of bitter gourd. In both crosses, dominance, additive, and most of the epistatic components, were significant indicating a complex nature of inheritance for all characters under study. The dominance × dominance interaction effect was larger than the additive × additive effect. Duplicate epistasis in both crosses indicated hindrance in advancement through selection. Most characters are under control of non-additive gene action, and the magnitude of additive component was lower than dominance × dominance component; selection for most characters might be difficult. Dominance estimates indicated there would be less likelihood of isolating genotypes with fruit of increased size and having high β-carotene content from the crosses involving small-fruited M. charantia var. muricata Willd. as a parent because small fruit exhibited dominance. There would be a possibility of isolating genotype with fruit having high ascorbic acid content in segregating generations of these cross combinations. Selection for improvement of fruit physico-chemical characters should be delayed to later generations of segregating populations in bitter gourd. The modified bulk method of selection is recommended, in which selection is performed after attaining homozygosity for maximum heterozygous loci.