The triterpenoids of the bitter gourd (Momordica Charantia) and their pharmacological activities: A review

Abstract The bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is a world-famous medical vegetable involved in multiple pharmacological activities especially known for its lipid- and glucose-lowering effects. As a result of its abundance of triterpenes and saponins (collectively called triterpenoids), growing evidence shows that they have a variety of biological effects, including anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory activities. These studies indicate that triterpenoids (triterpenes) which are thought to play a key role in mediating diverse biological effects are likely to be underestimated in bitter gourd. To date, there is no comprehensive review specifying the composition and pharmacological activities of triterpenoids in this medical food. In this review, we focused on the structural diversity and biological function of M. charantia-derived triterpenes and saponins for the first time. The summarized information emphasizes the chemical complexity and promising clinical utility of M. charantia-derived triterpenoids which deserve more effort to be isolated, chemically characterized, functionally clarified, and eventually should be developed as new drugs or adjuvant treatment.