Name: AMPALAYA

Scientific Name: Momordica charantia Linn.

Other Scientific Names
Mormodica cylindrica Blanco
Mormodica balsamina Blanco
COMMON NAMES
Amargoso (Span.)
Ampalaya (Tag.)
Ampalia (Tag.)
Apalaya (Tag.)
Apalia (Pamp.)
Apape (Ibn.)
Apapet (Itn.)
Margoso (Tag.)
Palia (Bis., Bon., If.)
Pariu (Bik., Ilk., Sul.)
Pulia (Sub.)
Balsam apple, balsam pear (Engl.)
African cucumber (Engl.)
Tuberculated momordica (Engl.)
Bitter gourd (Engl.)
Definition
Ampalaya is a climbing vine with tendrils up to 20 centimeters long. Leaves
are heart-shaped, 5-10 cm in diameter, cut into 5-7 lobes. Male and female yellow
flowers, about 15 mm long, long-stalked with pair of small leaflike bracts at middle
or toward base of stalk. Fleshy green fruit, oblong with pointed ends, ribbed and
wrinkled, bursting when mature to release seeds. Seeds flat with ruminated
margins.
Ampalaya is probably of Asiatic origin. Year-round vegetable growing in various
places from sea level to higher altitudes. Wild forms found in wastelands at low and
medium altitudes. It can be propagated by planting seeds.
Distribution
Ampalaya is a year-round vegetable, extensively cultivated in the Philippines
for its bitter edible fruit. Also found in open fields, thickets, and waste places.
Chemical properties and constituents
Considered astringent, antidiabetic, abortifacient, antirheumatic,
contraceptive, galactagogue, parasiticide, anthelmintic, purgative, emetic,
antipyretic, febrifuge, emmenagogue, cooling , tonic, vulnerary.
Phytochemical study yielded alkaloids, glycosides, aglycone, tannin, sterol,
phenol and protein.
Parts utilized
Leaves, roots and fruits

Uses
Folkloric
Astringent powdered leaves or root decoction can be applied to hemorrhoids.
Leaf juice for cough and as a purgative and anthelminthic to expel intestinal
parasites, and for healing wounds.
Seeds also used to expel worms.
Juice from fruit used for dysentery and chronic colitis.
The vine or the juice of leaves used as mild purgative for children.
In large doses, the fresh juice is a drastic purgative.
Decoction of roots and seeds used for urethral discharges.
Pounded leaves used for scalds.
Infusion of leaves or leaf juice used for fevers.
In Jamaica, leaf decoction or infusion is taken for colds, as laxative and blood
cleanser. Warm tea infusions also used for toothaches and mouth infections.
Also used as a bath/wash for skin eruptions and acne.
Used for eczema, malarial, gout, jaundice, abdominal pain, kidney (stone),
leprosy, leucorrhea, piles, pneumonia, psoriasis, rheumatism, fever and
scabies.
In China, used as hypoglycemic and antidiabetic.
In Turkey, used for healing of cutaneous lesions and peptic ulcers.
Nutritional
The leaves and fruit - used as vegetables - are excellent sources of Vit B, iron,
calcium, and phosphorus. It has twice the amount of beta carotene in broccoli and
twice the calcium content of spinach. Characteristically bitter-tasting, slight soaking
in salty water before cooking removes some of the bitter taste of the fruit.
Philippine News: Diabetes Mellitus
Ampalaya is a Philippine herb that has recently gained international
recognition for its possible benefits in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Despite its
bitter taste, it has also become a popular nutritional drink for a boost of vim and
vigor. In fact, the bitterer, the better, as it is believed that the bitterness is
proportionate to its potency.
Studies have suggested that Ampalaya contains a hypoglycemic polypeptide, a
plant insulin responsible for its blood sugar lowering effect. Other benefits
suggested were body detoxification (including removal of nicotine), strengthening of
the immune system and fertility regulation.
It is increasingly recommended as an adjunct or supplement to traditional
therapeutic regimens for diabetes mellitus.
Studies
Analgesic / Cholinomimetic: A methanol leaf extract study of Mormodica
charantia in rodents suggested cholinomimetic and analgesic activities.
Antidiabetic and adaptogenic properties: Adaptogenic properties are
indicated by the delay in the appearance of cataracts, the secondary

complications of diabetes and relief in neurological and other common

symptoms even before the hypoglycemia occurred.
Anti-inflammatory / Membrane Stabilizing Property: The study reports
the anti-inflammatory and membrane stabilizing property of an aqueous
extract of Mormodica charantia leaves in rats. The results suggest the antiinflammatory activity may not be related to membrane-stabilization.
Antimicrobial: Study on various extracts of Cassia tora, Calendula officinalis
and Mormodica charantia showed activity against all tested bacteria, Staph
aureus being more susceptible to the aqueous extracts.
Larvicidal: Study showed M. charantia to have good larvicidal activity
against three container breeding mosquitoes: An. stephensi, Cx
quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti suggesting a potential for the fruit extracts
use in potable waters against mosquito larvae.
Antidiabetic / Estrous Cyclicity Effect: Study results suggest the
antidiabetic potential of MC and AP could restore the impaired estrous cycle
in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
Antidiabetic / Saponins: Study showed the saponin constituents extracted
from MC induced significant hypoglycemic activity in hyperglycemic and
normal mice.
Anxiolytic / Antidepressant / Antiinflammatory: Study of methanol
extract of dried leaves of MC showed significant anxiolytic activity and
antidepressant and antiinflammatory activities.
Antidiabetic / Glucose Lowering: (1) A water soluble extract of the fruit
significantly reduced blood glucose concentrations in diabetic and after forcefeeding in rats. Fried karela fruits consumed as daily dietary supplement
produced a small but significant improvement in glucose tolerance. (2) An
aqueous powder extract of the fresh unripe whole fruit reduced fasting
glucose by 48% comparable to glibenclamide, a known synthetic drug.
Testing showed no nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. As an edible vegetable,
it presents a safe alternative to reducing blood glucose.
Anti-Ulcerogenic / Gastroprotective: An olive oil extract of M charantia
showed ulcer inhibition a gastroprotective effect against indomethacin.
Phytochemicals: Study of chemical constituents of unmatured fruits yielded
vincine, mycose, momordicoside A and momordicoside B.
Phytochemicals / Extract-Metformin Synergism: Study yielded alkaloids,
glycosides, aglycone, tannin, sterol, phenol and protein. Use of the extract for
pharmacologic interactions with half doses of metformin or glibenclamide or
both in combination caused a decrease in blood sugar greater than that
caused by full doses in a 7-day treatment study. Results suggest a synergism
activity.
Antioxidant: Study of Momordica charantia fruit extract exerts a protection
to AC-induced hyperammonemic rats against oxidative stress possibly
through prevention or inhibition of the lipid peroxidative system by its
antioxidant, hepatoprotective effect and maintenance of cellular integrity.

Other (Kitchen) Preparations

Steam ampalaya tops (upper four leaves) and eat half a cup twice daily. As a
decoction, boil six tablespoons of finely chopped leaves in two glasses of water over

low fire (for 15 minutes). Drink 1/3 cup, three times a day, 30 minutes before meals.
Don't use aluminum pots (clay or enamel only).
Toxicity
None known
Availability
o Wild-crafted.
o Perennial vegetable markets produce.
o Tablets (Amargozin by Altermed / Pascual Laboratories) for diabetes.
Recently, available in capsule formulation, Charagen Ampalaya.