Antidotic Potency of Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L)

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Traditional remedies are used about more than 75% population from all around the world in crucial health problems [1,2]. In recent years there is an upsurge clinical research has been focused on traditional plants origin. Plants especially vegetables are rich source of multiple vitamins (Niacin, thiamine and Vitamin A, C and E) dietary fibers and some minerals also. These compounds are mainly linked to reduce prevalence of certain diseases like cardio-vascular disease, cancer while some other chronic diseases [3,4]. Momordica charantia (MC) is such one vegetable with numerous health regulating properties that belongs to Cucurbitaceae family, commonly known as bitter gourd or bitter melon in English and karela in Urdu. Momordica means, “to bite” indicating to the jagged edges of leaf and fruit surface, which appear as bitten. The entire plant, including leaf and fruit, taste bitter. Itis widely grown in most part of Asia especially in Pakistan, China, India and south east part of Asia due to its medicinal aspects. They are also grown on small acres in other various parts of the world. Bitter gourds are found in a wide range. Great morphological variation was found in color, fruits and size. Normally the fruit has oblong shape which resembles with small cucumber, young fruits has green color that turn to pale yellow when ripen. But, Indian charantia cultivars have large fusiform fruit, while wild, free- living M. charantia var. muricata develops small and round fruits [5]. Similarly, three various types occure in China; slightly bitter and comparatively long fruits (30 to 60 cm), extremely bitter and small fruits (10 to 20 cm) and strongly bitter and cone shaped fruits (9 to