Momordica cymbalaria, Cucurbitaceae
Dr. Harun Ar Rashid, MD - Arthritis, Bones, Joints Pain, Trauma, and Internal Medicine Specialist
Momordica cymbalaria belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and originated in tropical regions of India and Southeast Asia. It is regarded as an underutilized vegetable crop. It is not cultivated commercially due to a lack of planting materials. It is an abundant source of fiber, vitamin C, beta carotene, calcium, and iron content. It possesses medicinal properties such as hepatoprotective, anti-diarrhea, nephroprotective, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and anti-allergic activity.
It is a climbing annual and perennial herb having scandent, slender, striate, and branched stems. Leaves are deeply cordate at the base, orbicular-reniform in outline, and are obtusely lobed having five to seven lobes. Fruits measure 20 to 25 mm long and is pyriform having 8 sharp ridges and with base narrowed into curved peduncle which is dark green, fleshy, and ribbed. Seeds are shiny, smooth, ovoid-shaped, and is about 4.6 mm long. The male flower is filiform, ebracteate, puberulous, about 5-30 mm long with pale yellow corolla and two stamens. The female flower is solitary on a peduncle of 28 mm in length. Roots are perennial, woody, and tuberous.
Calories 3 Kcal.
| Proximity | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 84.3 g | N/D |
| Energy | 3 Kcal | N/D |
| Protein | 2.15 g | 4.30% |
| Carbohydrate | 12.6 g | 9.69% |
| Total dietary Fiber | 6.42 g | 16.89% |
| Minerals | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium, Ca | 72000 mg | 7200.00% |
| Iron, Fe | 1700 mg | 21250.00% |
| Phosphorus, P | 460 mg | 65.71% |
| Potassium, K | 500000 mg | 10638.30% |
| Sodium, Na | 40000 mg | 2666.67% |
| Zinc, Zn | 2820 mg | 25636.36% |
| Copper, Cu | 180 mg | 20000.00% |
| Manganese, Mn | 320 mg | 13913.04% |
| Vitamins | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Water-soluble Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) | 290000 mg | 322222.22% |
| Fat-soluble Vitamins | ||
| Beta Carotene | 10000 µg | N/D |
Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Mentioned values are recommended by a U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are not rxharun.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weighs 194 lbs. https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/
Health Benefits of Momordica cymbalaria
Let’s discuss on the health benefits of Momordica cymbalaria:
- Treatment for diabetes
Momordica cymbalaria possesses hypoglycaemic and anti-diabetic activity. The fruit powder possesses hypoglycaemic activity which was evaluated in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The treatment with fruit powder at 0.25 g/kg of body weight for 15 days showed a significant reduction in the levels of blood glucose of diabetic rats. Also, the improvement was seen in body weights. The fruit powder lowered the anti-diabetic effect in diabetic rats by a mechanism than stimulation of insulin release from the cells. It enhanced the rate of glycogenesis which is indicated by high amounts of hepatic glycogen in the diabetic treated group.
- Cardioprotective properties
Momordica cymbalaria prevents alterations in marker enzymes of myocardial infection and oxidative stress with uric acid. Myofibrillar and monocytosis degeneration are reported in isoproterenol-treated rats. M. cymbalaria displayed normal myofibrillar structure with striations and exhibited marked protection by an extract against myocardial necrotic damage. Rats pretreated with M. cymbalaria demonstrated normal myofibrillar structures with striations and showed as marked protection by an extract against myocardial necrotic damage. Isoproterenol increases LDL cholesterol and decreased HDL cholesterol levels in the serum which increases the chances of myocardial infarction.
- Prevent diarrhea
It is reported that methanol extract of fruit shows anti-diarrheal activity against castor oil-induced diarrhea in rats. The extract resembles the similar activity of diphenoxylate, an anti-diarrheal drug when tested at 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg and lower the frequency of defecation and wetness of fecal droppings in comparison to untreated control rats.
- Prevent microbes
Momordica cymbalaria has chloroform, petroleum ether, aqueous, and ethanol extracts which inhibit the effect of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Aspergillus niger, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in comparison to standard antibiotics. It indicates that it is effective to prevent these organisms.
- Cancer prevention
The aerial parts of Momordica cymbalaria have methanol extract that showed anticancer properties in comparison to standard cyclophosphamide against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma induced cancer in mice.
Traditional uses
- Fruits are considered to be stimulant, stomachic, tonic, alterative, and laxative.
- Fruits are used to treat rheumatism, gout, and sub-acute cases of liver disease and spleen.
- It is used for colic, malaria, diabetes, infections, wounds, parasites, and worms.
- Leaf juice, fruit pulp, and seeds encompass anti-helmet activity.
- Since ancient times, it is used to cure various ailments such as stomach aches and mouth ulcers.
Other facts
Generally, it is propagated through tuberous roots.
References
