Momordica charantia L. is an annual climbing herbaceous plant of the pumpkin family (Cucurbitaceae), which is quite successfully cultivated in various areas with a temperate climate, including in the Krasnodar Territory. Along with the fact that the plant belongs to the food category, in folk medicine the fruits and leaves of Momordica charantia are used for diabetes, skin diseases, rheumatism, gout, and also as an anthelmintic and laxative. Data on the hypoglycemic effect of Momordica charantia fruit extract have been published, indicating its positive effect on insulin production, glucose metabolism, free fatty acid levels and kidney health in animal experiments and in clinical practice in patients with diabetes mellitus. The therapeutic activity of this plant is due to the rich composition of biologically active substances (BAS), which is characterized by the content of triterpene glycosides of the cucurbitan type, phenolic compounds, organic acids, fatty oil, proteins, lectins, pectin, inulin, alkaloids, macro- and microelements. As is known, the qualitative composition and quantitative content of biologically active substances in plant objects can vary significantly depending on the place of its growth and growing conditions. In this regard, it seemed appropriate to study the representation of a number of groups of chemical compounds in the fruits and leaves of Momordica charantia growing in the Krasnodar region. Among the biologically active substances that are essential for the prevention and treatment of various diseases are organic acids and minerals. Organic acids have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, choleretic, and keratolytic effects. Minerals play an active role in the metabolism of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates, act as cofactors in chemical reactions, are part of cellular and skeletal structures, and participate in ensuring osmotic pressure and acid-base balance. The purpose of the study was to study the organic acids and minerals of the leaves and fruits of Momordica charantia, growing in the Krasnodar region. When carrying out the research, we used the leaves and fruits of Momordica charantia, harvested in the Krasnodar region and dried in the air-shadow method. The study was carried out by capillary electrophoresis using a Kapel-105M device (JSC NPF Lumex, Russia) with a quartz capillary Leff/Ltotal=50/60 cm, ID=75 µm. As a result of the research, the qualitative and quantitative composition of organic acids and minerals of the leaves and fruits of Momordica charantia, growing in the Krasnodar region, was studied. The presence of substances of these groups in combination with other biologically active substances is of scientific and practical interest from the point of view of the prospects for creating functional products for various purposes based on regional resources of the momordica.
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