Bitter Melon Fruit: Useful for Lowering Glucose Concentrations

[Guest guest]

Bitter Melon Fruit Contains Components Resembling Insulin JoAnn Guest May

22, 2003 11:50 PDT

BITTER MELON

(MOMORDICA CHARANTIA)

Other botanical names include:

Bitter Gourd,Carilla, Karela, Kuguazi,African cucumber,

& wild cucumber.

 

Bitter Melon is a common vegetable. Eaten by many throughout the world,

Bitter Melon grows on a vine, is cousin of the squash and does not grow

well in cold weather. The vine resembles that of the tomato.

 

Instead of round red fruit, however, the bitter melon has green cucumber

shaped fruit. It's called " bitter " for taste, " melon " for looks. Bitter

melon isn't its only name.

 

Botanists and scientists call it--

Momordica charantia (botanical name). There are many nick-names,

including bitter gourd, carilla plant, wild cucumber, African cucumber,

karela, and its medicinal herb name in china, Kuguazi.

 

Bitter melon is science-friendly. For example, you can find it in the

" MERCK INDEX " , the chemist's and physician's encyclopedia of chemicals,

drugs and biologicals.

 

WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

 

Bitter melon is native to almost all tropical climates. It is common in

Africa, China, the Far East, India, Brazil, the Caribbean, etc.

 

HERE IN PART IS WHAT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SAYS ABOUT

BITTER MELON:

 

" Bitter melon is used for tumors in Brazil, for malignant ulcers in

Guam.

 

Arubans take the decoction for hypertension, Puerto Ricans for diabetes;

Hondurans as a depurative; Peruvians for colic and worms. Jamaicans for

colds, constipation, fever and stomachache; Congolese use the leaf for

colic, the seed for roundworm.

 

Japanese use the plant for constipation, headache, and skin

ailments.... " * *James A. Duke, PhD., Chief, Germplasm Resources

Laboratory, United States Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., quoted

from HANDBOOK OF MEDICINAL HERBS (1985;pp315-316)

 

 

 

WHAT IS THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH DATA ABOUT BITTER MELON?

 

Some research scientists are concerned with leukemia or lymphoma.

 

Others with the immune system. Some research AIDS and HIV-1. Others

seek proteins that have immunosuppressive effect. Still others look for

hypoglycemic peptides.

 

Some look for extracts that kill human leukemic lymphocytes. Some are

interested in the highest neutral detergent fiber or monoclonal

antibodies or the lowering of glucose concentrations or stimulators of

insulin release.

 

Please spend a few moments browsing over the research material listed

below.

 

We think you will agree, that there is some- thing unique about this

plant.

 

Re: Its lowering of glucose concentrations, improving glucose tolerance,

and promoting glucose disposal:

 

" The mineral and amino acid analysis showed that the bitter gourd

contained nutritionally useful quantities of the most essential mineral

and amino acids.

 

The blood sugar once lowered after 30 days did not increase even after

15 days of discontinuation of the treatment. " *

 

*Journal of Ethnopharmacology 15(1):107-17 1986 Jan.

 

" Investigations were carried out to evaluate the effect of Momordica

charantia on the glucose tolerance of maturity onset diabetic patients.

 

The juice of Momordia charantia was found to significantly improve the

glucose tolerance of 73% of the patients investigated while the other

27% failed to respond. " *

 

*Journal of Ethnopharmacology 17(3):277-82 1986 Sept.

 

" Cerrasee--

A wild variety of Momordica charantia is traditionally prepared as a tea

for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in the West Indies and Central

America.

 

The cerasee extracts did not significantly alter plasma insulin

concentrations, suggesting that cerasee may exert an extrapancretic

effect to promote glucose disposal. " *

 

*Diabetes Research Clinical & Experimental 2(2):81-4 1985 Mar.

 

" The hypoglycaemic effect of orally administered extracts of fruits of

cultivated Momordica charantia (Karela) was examined.

 

The results suggest that orally administered karela extracts lower

glucose concentrations independently of intestinal glucose absorption

and involve an extrapancreatic effect. " *

 

*Planta Medica 56(5); 426-9 1990 Oct.

 

" The effect of Karela (Momordica charantia), a fruit indigenous to South

America and Asia, on glucose and insulin concentrations was studied in

nine non-insulin-dependent diabetics and six non-diabetic rats.

 

These results show that karela improves glucose tolerance in diabetes.

Doctors supervising *Asian* diabetics should be aware of the fruit's

hypoglycemic properties. " *

 

*British Medical Journal-Clinical Research 282(6279); 1823-4 1981 June

6.

 

" An aqueous extract from the unripe fruits of the tropical plant

Momordica charantia was found to be potent stimulator of insulin release

from beta cell rich pancreatic islets isolated from obese-hyperglycemic

mice.

 

Studies of 45 Ca fluxes suggest that the insulin releasing action is a

result of perturbations of membrane functions. In support for the idea

of direct effects on membrane lipids, the action of the extract was

found to mimic that of saponin. " *

 

*Acta Biologica et Medica Germanica 41(12):1229-40 1982.

 

" A hypoglycemic peptide, Polypeptide-p has been isolated from the fruit

seeds and tissue of Momordica charantia.

 

Polypeptide-p is a very effective hypoglycemic agent when administered

subcutaneously to gerbils, langurs and humans. " *

 

*Journal of Natural Products 44(6):648-55 1981 Nov.-Dec.

 

" Extracts of Momordica charantia fruit pulp, seed, and whole plant were

tested for their hypoglycemic effects on normal and diabetic rat models.

 

 

The results indicate the presence of non-sapogenin hypoglycemic

compound(s) in Momordica charantia fruit pulp and the activity is

probably mediated either by improving the insulin secretory capacity of

the B cells or by improving the action of the insulin. " *

 

*Planta Medica 59(5):408-412 1993

 

" The Bitter Melon or Balsam Pear--

is cultivated as a tropical vegetable in South America, Asia, and

Africa where it has been used as a traditional therapy for diabetes in a

variety of cultures of these countries.

 

Further investigation has confirmed the ability of the fresh juice from

the unripe fruit of the bitter melon to lower blood sugar.

 

One isolate of Momorica, Charantin is a mixture of steroidal glycosides

and compares favorably to tolbutamide, an allopathic drug commonly used

as a oral hypoglycemic agent.

 

Another isolate, polypeptide-P has been shown to lower blood glucose

when administered via subcutaneous injections. A variety of oral

extracts have been shown to lower blood sugar and improve glucose

tolerance in both human and animal studies.

 

Evidence suggests that a constituent in Momordica, or the sum of all the

constituents have an insulin-like activity themselves and do not

directly alter existing insulin levels. " *

 

*Chakravarthy BK, Gupa S, and Gode KD: Functional beta cell regeneration

in the islets of Pancreas in alloxan induced dibetic rats by

epicatechin. Life Sc 31:2693-7, 1982

 

" ....The results indicated that M. charantia fruits and seeds contained

components that resembled insulin in inhibiting

hormone-induced lipolysis... " *

 

*Wong CM, Yeung HW, Ng TB: Screening of (family Cucurbitaceae) for

compounds with antilipolytic activity.

*Journal of Ethnopharmacology 13(3):313-21, July 1985.

 

http://home.istar.ca/~hlth2000/bittermelon.html

 

*CLICK HERE to view Published Clinical Articles on MOMORDICA CHARANTIA

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

Friendsforhea-

DietaryTi-

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/SugarBlues.html

 

 

 

The complete " Whole Body " Health line consists of the " AIM GARDEN TRIO "

Ask About Health Professional Support Series: AIM Barleygreen

 

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/AIM.html

 

 

 

 

 

The New Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi there! You may also find it interesting to know that Bitter Melon is

a male antifertility substance. ( " Honey, eat your vegetables! " ) It has

some extensive use for its antiviral properties, particularly among

Persons with AIDS. Refined, concentrated extracts are more effective

for this use, particularly in combinations with other herbal medicines.

It's great in a salad. However, Bitter Melon can get moldy fairly

quickly, best to buy in small quantities. It can be found in Chinese

Markets from Spring to Fall. Steve

 

JoAnn Guest wrote:

 

> Bitter Melon Fruit Contains Components Resembling Insulin JoAnn

> Guest May 22, 2003 11:50 PDT

> BITTER MELON

> (MOMORDICA CHARANTIA)

> Other botanical names include:

> Bitter Gourd,Carilla, Karela, Kuguazi,African cucumber,

> & wild cucumber.

>

> Bitter Melon is a common vegetable. Eaten by many throughout the world,

> Bitter Melon grows on a vine, is cousin of the squash and does not grow

> well in cold weather. The vine resembles that of the tomato.

>

> Instead of round red fruit, however, the bitter melon has green cucumber

> shaped fruit. It's called " bitter " for taste, " melon " for looks. Bitter

> melon isn't its only name.

>

> Botanists and scientists call it--

> Momordica charantia (botanical name). There are many nick-names,

> including bitter gourd, carilla plant, wild cucumber, African cucumber,

> karela, and its medicinal herb name in china, Kuguazi.

>

> Bitter melon is science-friendly. For example, you can find it in the

> " MERCK INDEX " , the chemist's and physician's encyclopedia of chemicals,

> drugs and biologicals.

>

> WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

>

> Bitter melon is native to almost all tropical climates. It is common in

> Africa, China, the Far East, India, Brazil, the Caribbean, etc.

>

> HERE IN PART IS WHAT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SAYS ABOUT

> BITTER MELON:

>

> " Bitter melon is used for tumors in Brazil, for malignant ulcers in

> Guam.

>

> Arubans take the decoction for hypertension, Puerto Ricans for diabetes;

> Hondurans as a depurative; Peruvians for colic and worms. Jamaicans for

> colds, constipation, fever and stomachache; Congolese use the leaf for

> colic, the seed for roundworm.

>

> Japanese use the plant for constipation, headache, and skin

> ailments.... " * *James A. Duke, PhD., Chief, Germplasm Resources

> Laboratory, United States Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., quoted

> from HANDBOOK OF MEDICINAL HERBS (1985;pp315-316)

>

>

>

> WHAT IS THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH DATA ABOUT BITTER MELON?

>

> Some research scientists are concerned with leukemia or lymphoma.

>

> Others with the immune system. Some research AIDS and HIV-1. Others

> seek proteins that have immunosuppressive effect. Still others look for

> hypoglycemic peptides.

>

> Some look for extracts that kill human leukemic lymphocytes. Some are

> interested in the highest neutral detergent fiber or monoclonal

> antibodies or the lowering of glucose concentrations or stimulators of

> insulin release.

>

> Please spend a few moments browsing over the research material listed

> below.

>

> We think you will agree, that there is some- thing unique about this

> plant.

>

> Re: Its lowering of glucose concentrations, improving glucose tolerance,

> and promoting glucose disposal:

>

> " The mineral and amino acid analysis showed that the bitter gourd

> contained nutritionally useful quantities of the most essential mineral

> and amino acids.

>

> The blood sugar once lowered after 30 days did not increase even after

> 15 days of discontinuation of the treatment. " *

>

> *Journal of Ethnopharmacology 15(1):107-17 1986 Jan.

>

> " Investigations were carried out to evaluate the effect of Momordica

> charantia on the glucose tolerance of maturity onset diabetic patients.

>

> The juice of Momordia charantia was found to significantly improve the

> glucose tolerance of 73% of the patients investigated while the other

> 27% failed to respond. " *

>

> *Journal of Ethnopharmacology 17(3):277-82 1986 Sept.

>

> " Cerrasee--

> A wild variety of Momordica charantia is traditionally prepared as a tea

> for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in the West Indies and Central

> America.

>

> The cerasee extracts did not significantly alter plasma insulin

> concentrations, suggesting that cerasee may exert an extrapancretic

> effect to promote glucose disposal. " *

>

> *Diabetes Research Clinical & Experimental 2(2):81-4 1985 Mar.

>

> " The hypoglycaemic effect of orally administered extracts of fruits of

> cultivated Momordica charantia (Karela) was examined.

>

> The results suggest that orally administered karela extracts lower

> glucose concentrations independently of intestinal glucose absorption

> and involve an extrapancreatic effect. " *

>

> *Planta Medica 56(5); 426-9 1990 Oct.

>

> " The effect of Karela (Momordica charantia), a fruit indigenous to South

> America and Asia, on glucose and insulin concentrations was studied in

> nine non-insulin-dependent diabetics and six non-diabetic rats.

>

> These results show that karela improves glucose tolerance in diabetes.

> Doctors supervising *Asian* diabetics should be aware of the fruit's

> hypoglycemic properties. " *

>

> *British Medical Journal-Clinical Research 282(6279); 1823-4 1981 June

> 6.

>

> " An aqueous extract from the unripe fruits of the tropical plant

> Momordica charantia was found to be potent stimulator of insulin release

> from beta cell rich pancreatic islets isolated from obese-hyperglycemic

> mice.

>

> Studies of 45 Ca fluxes suggest that the insulin releasing action is a

> result of perturbations of membrane functions. In support for the idea

> of direct effects on membrane lipids, the action of the extract was

> found to mimic that of saponin. " *

>

> *Acta Biologica et Medica Germanica 41(12):1229-40 1982.

>

> " A hypoglycemic peptide, Polypeptide-p has been isolated from the fruit

> seeds and tissue of Momordica charantia.

>

> Polypeptide-p is a very effective hypoglycemic agent when administered

> subcutaneously to gerbils, langurs and humans. " *

>

> *Journal of Natural Products 44(6):648-55 1981 Nov.-Dec.

>

> " Extracts of Momordica charantia fruit pulp, seed, and whole plant were

> tested for their hypoglycemic effects on normal and diabetic rat models.

>

>

> The results indicate the presence of non-sapogenin hypoglycemic

> compound(s) in Momordica charantia fruit pulp and the activity is

> probably mediated either by improving the insulin secretory capacity of

> the B cells or by improving the action of the insulin. " *

>

> *Planta Medica 59(5):408-412 1993

>

> " The Bitter Melon or Balsam Pear--

> is cultivated as a tropical vegetable in South America, Asia, and

> Africa where it has been used as a traditional therapy for diabetes in a

> variety of cultures of these countries.

>

> Further investigation has confirmed the ability of the fresh juice from

> the unripe fruit of the bitter melon to lower blood sugar.

>

> One isolate of Momorica, Charantin is a mixture of steroidal glycosides

> and compares favorably to tolbutamide, an allopathic drug commonly used

> as a oral hypoglycemic agent.

>

> Another isolate, polypeptide-P has been shown to lower blood glucose

> when administered via subcutaneous injections. A variety of oral

> extracts have been shown to lower blood sugar and improve glucose

> tolerance in both human and animal studies.

>

> Evidence suggests that a constituent in Momordica, or the sum of all the

> constituents have an insulin-like activity themselves and do not

> directly alter existing insulin levels. " *

>

> *Chakravarthy BK, Gupa S, and Gode KD: Functional beta cell regeneration

> in the islets of Pancreas in alloxan induced dibetic rats by

> epicatechin. Life Sc 31:2693-7, 1982

>

> " ....The results indicated that M. charantia fruits and seeds contained

> components that resembled insulin in inhibiting

> hormone-induced lipolysis... " *

>

> *Wong CM, Yeung HW, Ng TB: Screening of (family Cucurbitaceae) for

> compounds with antilipolytic activity.

> *Journal of Ethnopharmacology 13(3):313-21, July 1985.

>

> http://home.istar.ca/~hlth2000/bittermelon.html

>

> *CLICK HERE to view Published Clinical Articles on MOMORDICA CHARANTIA

>

> JoAnn Guest

> mrsjo-

> Friendsforhea-

> DietaryTi-

> http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/SugarBlues.html

>

>

>

> The complete " Whole Body " Health line consists of the " AIM GARDEN TRIO "

> Ask About Health Professional Support Series: AIM Barleygreen

>

> " Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

>

> http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/AIM.html

>

>

>

>

>

> The New Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.

>

>

[Guest guest]

--- Thanks for this very useful information. It seems this fruit has

many uses, however I have been mainly concerned with its use as a

supplement for hypoglycemia/diabetes. Also have you found auryvedic

preparations to be superior? Which brands do you consider best?

 

JoAnn

 

In Gettingwell , " F. M. Nicoll " <fmn@t...> wrote:

> Hi there! You may also find it interesting to know that Bitter

Melon is

> a male antifertility substance. ( " Honey, eat your vegetables! " )

It has some extensive use for its antiviral properties, particularly

among Persons with AIDS. Refined, concentrated extracts are more

effective for this use, particularly in combinations with other

herbal medicines. It's great in a salad. However, Bitter Melon

can get moldy fairly quickly, best to buy in small quantities. It

can be found in Chinese Markets from Spring to Fall. Steve

 

> JoAnn Guest wrote:

> > Bitter Melon Fruit Contains Components Resembling Insulin

JoAnn

> > Guest May 22, 2003 11:50 PDT

> > BITTER MELON

> > (MOMORDICA CHARANTIA)

> > Other botanical names include:

> > Bitter Gourd,Carilla, Karela, Kuguazi,African cucumber,

> > & wild cucumber.

> >

> > Bitter Melon is a common vegetable. Eaten by many throughout the

world,

> > Bitter Melon grows on a vine, is cousin of the squash and does

not grow

> > well in cold weather. The vine resembles that of the tomato.

> >

> > Instead of round red fruit, however, the bitter melon has green

cucumber

> > shaped fruit. It's called " bitter " for taste, " melon " for looks.

Bitter

> > melon isn't its only name.

> >

> > Botanists and scientists call it--

> > Momordica charantia (botanical name). There are many nick-names,

> > including bitter gourd, carilla plant, wild cucumber, African

cucumber,

> > karela, and its medicinal herb name in china, Kuguazi.

> >

> > Bitter melon is science-friendly. For example, you can find it

in the

> > " MERCK INDEX " , the chemist's and physician's encyclopedia of

chemicals,

> > drugs and biologicals.

> >

> > WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

> >

> > Bitter melon is native to almost all tropical climates. It is

common in

> > Africa, China, the Far East, India, Brazil, the Caribbean, etc.

> >

> > HERE IN PART IS WHAT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SAYS

ABOUT

> > BITTER MELON:

> >

> > " Bitter melon is used for tumors in Brazil, for malignant ulcers

in

> > Guam.

> >

> > Arubans take the decoction for hypertension, Puerto Ricans for

diabetes;

> > Hondurans as a depurative; Peruvians for colic and worms.

Jamaicans for

> > colds, constipation, fever and stomachache; Congolese use the

leaf for

> > colic, the seed for roundworm.

> >

> > Japanese use the plant for constipation, headache, and skin

> > ailments.... " * *

> >

> > The blood sugar once lowered after 30 days did not increase even

after

> > 15 days of discontinuation of the treatment. " *

> >

> > " Cerrasee--

> > A wild variety of Momordica charantia is traditionally prepared

as a tea

> > *Diabetes Research Clinical & Experimental 2(2):81-4 1985 Mar.

> >

> > " The hypoglycaemic effect of orally administered extracts of

fruits of

> > cultivated Momordica charantia (Karela) was examined.

> >

> > The results suggest that orally administered karela extracts

lower

> > glucose concentrations independently of intestinal glucose

absorption

> > and involve an extrapancreatic effect. " *

> >

> > *Planta Medica 56(5); 426-9 1990 Oct.

> >

> > " The effect of Karela (Momordica charantia), a fruit indigenous

to South

> > America and Asia, on glucose and insulin concentrations was

studied in

> > nine non-insulin-dependent diabetics and six non-diabetic rats.

> >

> > These results show that karela improves glucose tolerance in

diabetes.

> > " An aqueous extract from the unripe fruits of the tropical plant

> > Momordica charantia was found to be potent stimulator of insulin

release

> > The results indicate the presence of non-sapogenin hypoglycemic

> > compound(s) in Momordica charantia fruit pulp and the activity is

> > probably mediated either by improving the insulin secretory

capacity of

> > the B cells or by improving the action of the insulin. " *

> >

> > *Planta Medica 59(5):408-412 1993

> >

> > " The Bitter Melon or Balsam Pear--

> > is cultivated as a tropical vegetable in South America, Asia, and

> > Africa where it has been used as a traditional therapy for

diabetes in a

> > variety of cultures of these countries.

> >

> > Further investigation has confirmed the ability of the fresh

juice from

> > the unripe fruit of the bitter melon to lower blood sugar.

> >

> > One isolate of Momorica, Charantin is a mixture of steroidal

glycosides

> > and compares favorably to tolbutamide, an allopathic drug

commonly used

> > as a oral hypoglycemic agent.

> >

> > Another isolate, polypeptide-P has been shown to lower blood

glucose

> > when administered via subcutaneous injections. A variety of oral

> > extracts have been shown to lower blood sugar and improve glucose

> > tolerance in both human and animal studies.

> >

> > Evidence suggests that a constituent in Momordica, or the sum of

all the

> > constituents have an insulin-like activity themselves and do not

> > directly alter existing insulin levels. " *

> >

> > *Chakravarthy BK, Gupa S, and Gode KD: Functional beta cell

regeneration

> > in the islets of Pancreas in alloxan induced dibetic rats by

> > epicatechin. Life Sc 31:2693-7, 1982

> >

> > " ....The results indicated that M. charantia fruits and seeds

contained

> > components that resembled insulin in inhibiting

> > hormone-induced lipolysis... " *

[Guest guest]

The Bitter Melon Compound I used for some years was prepared in China to

a concentrated, powdered form, pressed into a pill. Recently, a

different herbal compound has arrived, similarly concentrated into an

" instant coffee " powder, and tastes so bitter that I have to wonder if

Bitter Melon is present among the 12 herbs. I've seen some remarkable

achievements of T.C.M. (traditional Chinese medicine), particularly,

remission of C.M.V. (cytomegalovirus) in " end stage " AIDS. Steve

 

JoAnn Guest wrote:

 

> --- Thanks for this very useful information. It seems this fruit has

> many uses, however I have been mainly concerned with its use as a

> supplement for hypoglycemia/diabetes. Also have you found auryvedic

> preparations to be superior? Which brands do you consider best?

>

> JoAnn

>

> In Gettingwell , " F. M. Nicoll " <fmn@t...> wrote:

> > Hi there! You may also find it interesting to know that Bitter

> Melon is

> > a male antifertility substance. ( " Honey, eat your vegetables! " )

> It has some extensive use for its antiviral properties, particularly

> among Persons with AIDS. Refined, concentrated extracts are more

> effective for this use, particularly in combinations with other

> herbal medicines. It's great in a salad. However, Bitter Melon

> can get moldy fairly quickly, best to buy in small quantities. It

> can be found in Chinese Markets from Spring to Fall. Steve

>

> > JoAnn Guest wrote:

> > > Bitter Melon Fruit Contains Components Resembling Insulin

> JoAnn

> > > Guest May 22, 2003 11:50 PDT

> > > BITTER MELON

> > > (MOMORDICA CHARANTIA)

> > > Other botanical names include:

> > > Bitter Gourd,Carilla, Karela, Kuguazi,African cucumber,

> > > & wild cucumber.

> > >

> > > Bitter Melon is a common vegetable. Eaten by many throughout the

> world,

> > > Bitter Melon grows on a vine, is cousin of the squash and does

> not grow

> > > well in cold weather. The vine resembles that of the tomato.

> > >

> > > Instead of round red fruit, however, the bitter melon has green

> cucumber

> > > shaped fruit. It's called " bitter " for taste, " melon " for looks.

> Bitter

> > > melon isn't its only name.

> > >

> > > Botanists and scientists call it--

> > > Momordica charantia (botanical name). There are many nick-names,

> > > including bitter gourd, carilla plant, wild cucumber, African

> cucumber,

> > > karela, and its medicinal herb name in china, Kuguazi.

> > >

> > > Bitter melon is science-friendly. For example, you can find it

> in the

> > > " MERCK INDEX " , the chemist's and physician's encyclopedia of

> chemicals,

> > > drugs and biologicals.

> > >

> > > WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

> > >

> > > Bitter melon is native to almost all tropical climates. It is

> common in

> > > Africa, China, the Far East, India, Brazil, the Caribbean, etc.

> > >

> > > HERE IN PART IS WHAT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SAYS

> ABOUT

> > > BITTER MELON:

> > >

> > > " Bitter melon is used for tumors in Brazil, for malignant ulcers

> in

> > > Guam.

> > >

> > > Arubans take the decoction for hypertension, Puerto Ricans for

> diabetes;

> > > Hondurans as a depurative; Peruvians for colic and worms.

> Jamaicans for

> > > colds, constipation, fever and stomachache; Congolese use the

> leaf for

> > > colic, the seed for roundworm.

> > >

> > > Japanese use the plant for constipation, headache, and skin

> > > ailments.... " * *

> > >

> > > The blood sugar once lowered after 30 days did not increase even

> after

> > > 15 days of discontinuation of the treatment. " *

> > >

> > > " Cerrasee--

> > > A wild variety of Momordica charantia is traditionally prepared

> as a tea

> > > *Diabetes Research Clinical & Experimental 2(2):81-4 1985 Mar.

> > >

> > > " The hypoglycaemic effect of orally administered extracts of

> fruits of

> > > cultivated Momordica charantia (Karela) was examined.

> > >

> > > The results suggest that orally administered karela extracts

> lower

> > > glucose concentrations independently of intestinal glucose

> absorption

> > > and involve an extrapancreatic effect. " *

> > >

> > > *Planta Medica 56(5); 426-9 1990 Oct.

> > >

> > > " The effect of Karela (Momordica charantia), a fruit indigenous

> to South

> > > America and Asia, on glucose and insulin concentrations was

> studied in

> > > nine non-insulin-dependent diabetics and six non-diabetic rats.

> > >

> > > These results show that karela improves glucose tolerance in

> diabetes.

> > > " An aqueous extract from the unripe fruits of the tropical plant

> > > Momordica charantia was found to be potent stimulator of insulin

> release

> > > The results indicate the presence of non-sapogenin hypoglycemic

> > > compound(s) in Momordica charantia fruit pulp and the activity is

> > > probably mediated either by improving the insulin secretory

> capacity of

> > > the B cells or by improving the action of the insulin. " *

> > >

> > > *Planta Medica 59(5):408-412 1993

> > >

> > > " The Bitter Melon or Balsam Pear--

> > > is cultivated as a tropical vegetable in South America, Asia, and

> > > Africa where it has been used as a traditional therapy for

> diabetes in a

> > > variety of cultures of these countries.

> > >

> > > Further investigation has confirmed the ability of the fresh

> juice from

> > > the unripe fruit of the bitter melon to lower blood sugar.

> > >

> > > One isolate of Momorica, Charantin is a mixture of steroidal

> glycosides

> > > and compares favorably to tolbutamide, an allopathic drug

> commonly used

> > > as a oral hypoglycemic agent.

> > >

> > > Another isolate, polypeptide-P has been shown to lower blood

> glucose

> > > when administered via subcutaneous injections. A variety of oral

> > > extracts have been shown to lower blood sugar and improve glucose

> > > tolerance in both human and animal studies.

> > >

> > > Evidence suggests that a constituent in Momordica, or the sum of

> all the

> > > constituents have an insulin-like activity themselves and do not

> > > directly alter existing insulin levels. " *

> > >

> > > *Chakravarthy BK, Gupa S, and Gode KD: Functional beta cell

> regeneration

> > > in the islets of Pancreas in alloxan induced dibetic rats by

> > > epicatechin. Life Sc 31:2693-7, 1982

> > >

> > > " ....The results indicated that M. charantia fruits and seeds

> contained

> > > components that resembled insulin in inhibiting

> > > hormone-induced lipolysis... " *

>

>

>

>