MEDICINAL USE OF AN ANCIENT HERB MOMORDICA CYMBALARIA: A REVIEW

Momordica cymbalaria (Hook, Fenzl) is a vine of Momordica genus found in the Indian states of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The medicinal herb also been named Luffa tuberose (Roxb) or Momordica tuberose (Roxb). Momordica cymbalaria is commonly known as Karchikai (Kannada) or Athalakkai (Tamil) or Kasarakayee (Andhra Pradesh) and Kakrol (India). Momordica cymbalaria has been used in various Asian traditional medicine systems for a long time. Momordica plant parts are characterized by wide diversity of bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, cucurbitane triterpenoid, and phytosterol. 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 triterpenoid, carotenoids and phenolics from different parts of Momordica species triterpenoid are the main constituents of Cucurbitaceae family. The potential health benefits of phytochemical found in Momordica species have received ample attention in the recent literature, focusing especially on compounds with high diabetes mellitus, cardio protective, ulcer, cancer, and diabetic neuropathy. The herb also has been reported to possess hypoglycaemic, wound healing, infertility, hypolipidemic, hepato-protective, nephro-protective and antioxidant properties. Momordica cymbalaria is under threat of extinction. The review focuses on the cultivation, nutritional and chemical composition, as well as medicinal and therapeutic properties of this medicinal plant.