glucokinase inhibitor br Biogeography and botanical descript

Biogeography and botanical description Based on both historical literature [1,2,5], and recent analysis of random amplified polymorphic DNA [6], inter simple sequence repeats [7] and amplified fragment length polymorphisms [8] molecular analyses, eastern India (including the states of Orissa, West Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand and Bihar) may be considered as the primary center of the diversity of bitter gourd, where a wild feral form, M. charantia varieties also exists. M. dioica and M. charantia are ubiquitous in distribution over India except in north-east region, whereas M. subangulata ssp. Renigera is restricted to north-east and adjoining north Bengal hills. M. cochinchinensis is distributed in Andaman and a few of regions in the eastern and north eastern states of India. M. balsamina is restricted to the arid belt zones such as Rajasthan and Gujarat, while M. cymbalaria is distributed in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. M. sahyadrica is a recently described species [9] and is endemic to the Western Ghats of India. In general, these plants are commonly glucokinase inhibitor or perennials. Leaves are entire or deeply lobed (3–7). Flowers are monoecious or dioecious, solitary/pseudo raceme, medium to big size, with foliaceous bracts, corolla creamish yellow to bright yellow color, green to pale green stigma (in monoecious species) or yellow (in dioecious species). Fruits are medium to big sized (5–800g), fleshy, green when unripe and orange red when ripe, ovoid oblongoid, ornamented with soft spines, warts or tubercles, splits from base into three valves. Seeds are enclosed in orange red sarcotesta (aril), and sculptured, margins often undulate and dentate [10].
Nutritional values The mature green fruit of the Momordica species is the most commonly consumed portion of the plant, although the tender leaves of M. balsamina can be cooked as a leafy vegetable providing an important source of nutrients [11]. These green fruits and leaves are a good source of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals (Table 1). The protein content of this species makes it a good source of essential amino acids (Table 2) such as methionine, phenylalanine, alanine, serine, cystine and threonine compared to other vegetables and traditional protein-rich legumes [4]. Differences in the agro-climatic conditions may account for the variation in the protein contents in this species. Hassan and Umar [11] have studied the nutritional values of M. balsamina leaves. In comparison with other species, M. balsamina leaves have more dietary fiber (29%) and mineral contents (Table 1) while Momordica fruits have moderate content of dietary fiber, which helps to lower the blood cholesterol. M. balsamina leaves are labeled as a heart protective leafy vegetable because of its high content of potassium (1320mg/100g) that helps to maintain normal blood pressure and other cardiovascular conditions [12]. The trace element, zinc, has also been reported in fruits and leaves of Momordica species (Table 1).
Bioactive compounds Momordica plant parts are characterized by a wide diversity of bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids cucurbitane triterpenoids, and phytosterols. The potential health benefits of phytochemicals found in Momordica species have received ample attention in the recent literature, focusing especially on compounds with high antidiabetic, antitumor and antioxidant properties. In particular, some of the actual trends of the scientific research are strongly focused on obtaining in vitro evidence for the biological efficacy of individual constituents such as triterpenoids, carotenoids and phenolics from different parts of Momordica spp. Around 228 different compounds were identified from different parts of M. charantia[13]. However, with regard to these various bioactive substances of M. charantia, only limited information was found on the wild species due to limited habitat and lack of awareness.