Bitter Melon
General Information
Momordica charantia (Cerassee)
Traditional use Colds, fever, sores, ‘menstrual disorders, ‘bad blood’, gripe, stomach ache
Preparation Fruit eaten raw or in tea
Momordica charantia (Cerassee)
Traditional use Colds, fever, sores, ‘menstrual disorders, ‘bad blood’, gripe, stomach ache
Preparation Fruit eaten raw or in tea
Research
Cerassee is one of the most widely used herbal medicinal plants in the Caribbean and is traditionally regarded as a “blood cleanser”. As well as demonstrating anti-diabetic and anti-tumour potential, MAP 30 – a plant protein extracted from M. charantia – has shown selective, in vitro cytotoxicity against HIV-infected cells. MAP 30 disrupts DNA structure and ribosomal function of rRNA in target HIV-infected cells.
Cerassee is one of the most widely used herbal medicinal plants in the Caribbean and is traditionally regarded as a “blood cleanser”. As well as demonstrating anti-diabetic and anti-tumour potential, MAP 30 – a plant protein extracted from M. charantia – has shown selective, in vitro cytotoxicity against HIV-infected cells. MAP 30 disrupts DNA structure and ribosomal function of rRNA in target HIV-infected cells.
Active compound(s)
Cucurbitacins (kuguacin a, kuguacin c), MAP 30
Cucurbitacins (kuguacin a, kuguacin c), MAP 30
