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Grafting of vegetable crops is widely used in industrial vegetable growing in Asia and Western Europe. However, the influence of the genetic relationship of the scion and rootstock, the activity of peroxidase and the content of ascorbic acid in the components of the graft during inosculation period on graft survival has been poorly studied. The objects of the research are nine species of the pumpkin family (Cucurbitaceae). The polymorphism of 11 taxa was studied based on ISSR-PCR of genomic DNA. The record of survival rate of scion-rootstock combinations was conducted on the 10-th day. The activity of peroxidase was determined by the spectrophotometric method, the content of ascorbic acid was determined by Murri. Significant differences in survival rate were noted when grafting momordica into pumpkin rootstock variants: large-fruited (94.6 %) and nutmeg (67.1 %). In experiments with watermelon, melon and trichosanthes, the influence of the type of rootstock on the viability of the graft was not revealed. According to the ISSR spectra, the taxa were divided into two clusters; interspecific groupings of each clade were supported by average bootstrap values (from 26 to 100 %). A medium effect (r = 0.36) of the degree of genetic similarity of the scion with the rootstock on the survival rate of watermelon and a weak effect on the survival rate of melon, momordica and trichosanthes were revealed. The activity of peroxidase and the content of ascorbic acid in the grafting components in different scionrootstock combinations had a weak and moderate effect on plant survival, respectively. The survival rate of trichosanthes on various types of rootstocks strongly depended on the content of ascorbic acid (r = 0.7). Genetic relatedness, peroxidase activity, and ascorbic acid content had a weak or moderate effect on the survival rate of plants in scion-rootstock combinations.

This review seeks to deepen our comprehension of the African plant Momordica balsamina L. by elucidating its therapeutically important molecules and nutrient composition. Commonly referred to as the balsam apple, this plant species is extensively harnessed for its diverse therapeutic potential across its various organs, including leaves, fruits, roots, and stems. Numerous bioactive molecules have been isolated or identified within this plant, notably encompassing polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenes, and carotenoids. These compounds exhibit a wide array of biological activities, ranging from antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and anti-carcinogenic to anti-malarial properties, among others. Furthermore, the leaves of Momordica balsamina L. stand out for their abundant micronutrients, proteins, and amino acids. This investigation aims to shed light not only on the botanical characteristics of the Momordica balsamina plant and its potential applications in traditional medicine but also on its chemical composition, biological functionalities, and physicochemical attributes, thus accentuating its nutritional advantages. Nonetheless, an intriguing avenue presents itself for the exploration of strategies to conserve this species, delve deeper into its potential within the cosmetics industry, and innovate methodologies for the synthesis or biosynthesis of these bioactive molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plants are used in traditional healing practices of many cultures worldwide. Momordica balsamina is a plant commonly used by traditional African healers as a part of a treatment for HIV/AIDS. It is typically given as a tea to patients with HIV/AIDS. Water-soluble extracts of this plant were found to contain anti-HIV activity. Methods: We employed cell-based infectivity assays, surface plasmon resonance, and a molecular-cell model of the gp120-CD4 interaction to study the mechanism of action of the MoMo30-plant protein. Using Edman degradation results of the 15 N-terminal amino acids, we determined the gene sequence of the MoMo30-plant protein from an RNAseq library from total RNA extracted from Momordica balsamina. Results: Here, we identify the active ingredient of water extracts of the leaves of Momordica balsamina as a 30 kDa protein we call MoMo30-plant. We have identified the gene for MoMo30 and found it is homologous to a group of plant lectins known as Hevamine A-like proteins. MoMo30-plant is distinct from other proteins previously reported agents from the Momordica species, such as ribosome-inactivating proteins such as MAP30 and Balsamin. MoMo30-plant binds to gp120 through its glycan groups and functions as a lectin or carbohydrate-binding agent (CBA). It inhibits HIV-1 at nanomolar levels and has minimal cellular toxicity at inhibitory levels. Conclusions: CBAs like MoMo30 can bind to glycans on the surface of the enveloped glycoprotein of HIV (gp120) and block entry. Exposure to CBAs has two effects on the virus. First, it blocks infection of susceptible cells. Secondly, MoMo30 drives the selection of viruses with altered glycosylation patterns, potentially altering their immunogenicity. Such an agent could represent a change in the treatment strategy for HIV/AIDS that allows a rapid reduction in viral loads while selecting for an underglycosylated virus, potentially facilitating the host immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present experiment was intended to test the hypoglycemiant effect of an alcoholic extract of roots or of the fruit seeds from “in vitro” regenerated Momordica charantia Linn. plants grown at USAMVB Timisoara. Diabetes was induced to domestic rabbits by administrating alloxan in dose of 80 mg/ kg body weight. In diabetic rabbits the glycemia decreased by 15.93% ten hours after the administration of the alcoholic extract in dose of 2 ml/kg body weight; the seeds of Momordica charantia Linn. reduced glycemia by 27.42% when administered in dose of 1.5 g/kg body weight. In alloxan recuperated rabbits, 5 hours after administration of the seeds, glycemia dropped 19.26%. The “in vitro” regenerated plants of Momordica charantia Linn. keep their hypoglycemiant effects.

Many chemical substances in plants have the potential to be toxins, which may induce harm by altering physiological mechanisms. Allium cepa L. assay is a sensitive test used for the determination of anti-mitotic and genotoxic effects in plant extracts. Genotoxic effects of aqueous, acetone, and methanolic fruit extracts of the cucurbit species were studied using the A. cepa bioassay, of which Cucumis melo var. agrestis L. and Momordica balsamina L. are wild and C. melo. L., C. melo. var. momordica L., M. charantia L., and M. dioica L. are cultivated. Onion bulbs were exposed to fruit extracts for 48 h and onion roots were examined with a microscope to determine their effect on cells. The extracts were slightly mito-depressants with a minimum mitotic index (46.20 ± 0.23%) in methanolic fruit extract of C. melo var. momordica, compared to the aqueous solution, a negative control (64.20 ± 0.12%), and 1 mg∙L−1sodium azide (NaN3) solution (22.53 ± 0.41%). The highest percentage of clastogenic aberrations was in the methanolic extract of C. melo var. momordica (11.8%) and least in the aqueous extract of C. melo var. momordica (2%). Also, mitotic abnormalities, chromosome stickiness, chromatin transfer, chromatin bridges, disorientation of chromosomes, laggards, and polar deviation occurred in root cells of A. cepa. Genotoxicity has been reported in different fruit extracts of cucurbits, which needs to be further investigated in animal models to nullify possible detrimental effects in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of our study is to the evaluation of melatonin (MLT) and Momordica charantia (MC) combination on PC-3 and HT-29 cancer lines and to address the question of where or not MLT increases MC antitumor effect in the PC-3 and HT-29 cancer lines. Material and Method: The PC-3 and HT-29 cell lines were grown in a manufacturer-specified culture medium. Cisplatin, MLT, increasing concentrations of MC, 40 μg/ml MLT + increasing concentrations MC were applied to PC-3 and HT-29 cell lines for 72 hours. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-Yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) cell viability, Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), Total Oxidant Status (TOS), Cellular Migration (Wound Healing test), and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) tests were done 72 hours after drug administration. Results: The combination of MLT 40 μg/ml + MC 100 µg/ml reduced cell viability in both PC-3 and HT-29 cells. Besides, TAC and TOS levels showed a correlation with LDH and MTT assays and were found to be statistically significant (P

Momordica janarthanamii sp. nov., from the Nashik district of Maharashtra state, India, is described and illustrated. The new species is closely related to Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Willd. Colored photographs, distribution, ecological notes and economical values of the new species are provided. A key to the dioecious species of Momordica of India is provided to facilitate identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the phytochemical, antioxidant activities, and digestive enzyme inhibition assay for the methanolic extract of ten ethnomedicinal plants, namely Evodia fraxinifolia, Gymnema sylvestre, Heracleum nepalense, Kaempferia rotunda, Momordica balsamina, Nyctanthes arbortristis, Solanum pseudocapsicum, Terminalia chebula, and Tectaria coadunate collected from different District of Nepal. Methods: Methanolic plant extracts were prepared by the cold percolation method. Analysis of phytochemical constituents was carried out using standard methods. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was used to evaluate in vitro antioxidants activities. The inhibition effect of extracts on α- amylase enzyme was carried out by using starch as a substrate, pancreatic α-amylase as the enzyme, and acarbose as standard. Alpha-glucosidase inhibition effect of methanol extracts of G. sylvestre was carried out by using p-NPG as a substrate, and acarbose as standard. Results: Phytochemical screening of methanolic extract of all eight selected plants displayed the presence of different chemical constituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, reducing sugar, saponins, glycosides, polyphenols, and steroids. The results of DPPH assay revealed that T. coadunate and T. chebula were most active with half- maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values 50 μg/ml same value for both respectively. G. sylvestre was found to be effective toward α-amylase inhibition with IC50 values 269.94 μg/ml, and alpha-glucosidase enzyme inhibition with IC50 value of 292.83 µg/ml. Conclusion: The preliminary results of this study suggested tested plants, i.e Nyctanthes arbortristis, Solanum pseudocapsicum, Terminalia chebula, and Tectaria coadunate, Nepal origin showed remarkable alpha-amylase inhibition and antioxidant activity in vitro which justifies their traditional uses. E. debile, E. fraxinifolia, H. nepalense, K. rotunda, and M. balsamina, Nepal origin, do not showed antioxidant activity but possess mild alpha-amylase inhibition activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants have intrinsic structural, chemical, and proteomic defense mechanisms against pests that can be developed as natural biopesticides as an environmentally friendly and safe alternative. This review investigates advances in biopesticides, focusing on protease inhibitors (PIs) that interfere with the digestion of proteins in insect guts, adversely affecting insect nutrition, growth, and metabolism. One type of PI trypsin inhibitor [TI] was assessed from seeds of 56 plants belonging to 8 families for insecticidal and fungicidal activity with up to 90% effectiveness. Lepidopterans were the main insects causing the most damage to important cultivated crops, and TIs from Momordica cochinchinensis showed up to 80% inhibitory activity. They were selected for further assessment for their potential as biopesticides for pest management. TIs from M. cochinchinensis have been well characterized, and their small sizes, high potency, and genetic simplicity make them ideal candidates for development and commercialization as natural biopesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study evaluated reliable, easy and an efficient protocol for DNA extraction from young leaves of spine gourd which yielded highly pure with no visible discoloration concentrated genomic DNA ranged from 1202.68 to 3786.92 µg/500 mg of tissue with ratio (A260/A280) of absorbance ranging from 1.34 to 1.95. This method involved modification in original cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide extraction without liquid nitrogen and by adding high level of β-mercaptoethanol, extracting twofold with chloroform: isoamyl alcohol (24: 1, v/v) and extending the centrifugation time which successfully removes polyphenols, chlorophyll pigments, polysaccharides and dyes. The DNA extracted by this method produced clearly scorable and reproducible definitive PCR fragments authentic exhibiting its compatibility and manifesting its affinity for SSR and ISSR markers. Therefore this method is recommended as an efficient protocol for genomic DNA extraction and microsatellite marker-based genetic analysis in spine gourd for high outp ut sample preparation for diverse PCR-based downstream applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Momordica species (Family Cucurbitaceae) are cultivated throughout the world for their edible fruits, leaves, shoots and seeds. Among the species of the genus Momordica, there are three selected species that are used as vegetable, and for medicinal purposes, Momordica charantia L (Bitter melon), Momordica foetida Schumach (Bitter cucumber) and Momordica balsamina L (African pumpkin). The fruits and leaves of these Momordica species are rich in primary and secondary metabolites such as proteins, fibers, minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc), β-carotene, foliate, ascorbic acid, among others. The extracts from Momordica species are used for the treatment of a variety of diseases and ailments in traditional medicine. Momordica species extracts are reputed to possess anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anthelmintic bioactivity, abortifacient, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and play chemo-preventive functions. In this review we summarize the biochemical, nutritional, and medicinal values of three Momordica species (M. charantia, M. foetida and M. balsamina) as promising and innovative sources of natural bioactive compounds for future pharmaceutical usage.

Malaria continues to be a major global health problem and a leading cause of death worldwide. Momordica charantia is a medicinal plant traditionally used in many parts of the tropics. The plant extracts have been shown to exhibit antibacterial, anti-viral, anti-parasitic effects as well as anti- diabetes. The aim of this study is to evaluate a commercial extract of M. charantia fruit for anti-malarial properties using an in vivo model of malarial infection (Plasmodium berghei NK65) . Intraperitoneal administration different doses of extract into ICR mice infected with P. berghei for four consecutive days resulted in chemo-suppressive and dose dependent manner also prolonged median survival of infected mice. The result mentions that the commercial extract displayed anti-malarial activity in vivo against P. berghei NK65. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The infrageneric delimitation of Momordica, a medicinally important genus of Cucurbitaceae, is ill-defined until date. Momordica chromosomes are extremely small and are difficult to stain and visualize because of the dense cytoplasmic background. We have conducted karyomorphometric analysis by EMA method in five Indian Momordica species, and the nuclear genome sizes were estimated by flow cytometry for the first time. The somatic chromosome numbers ranged from 2n = 18 to 56 in the species. We have resolved previously disputed chromosome numbers in M. cymbalaria and M. dioica as 2n = 18 (lowest) and 2n = 56, respectively. Chromosome counts in the other species were re-confirmed as 2n = 22 in M. charantia, 2n = 28 in M. cochinchinensis and 2n = 56 in M. subangulata. The largest genome size was recorded in M. cymbalaria (3.74 pg 2C−1), while the smallest size (0.72 pg 2C−1) was detected in M. charantia var. charantia. The nuclear genome sizes were analysed in comparison to chromosome numbers and total chromosome lengths of the species. Karyomorphometric indices showed comparable symmetric karyotypes in the species except in M. cymbalaria having tendency towards asymmetry. The UPGMA phenogram and principle component analysis based on nuclear DNA contents and karyomorphometric parameters demonstrated interspecies differences, intraspecific distinction within M. charantia varieties and highlighted distinction of M. cymbalaria. This study was further supported by the rDNA ITS sequence-based phylogenetic analysis which revealed the monophyletic origin of the Indian members of Momordica and clarified the intraspecies relationship among the studied members. As a whole, the study brought out new insights on species diversification within the genus Momordica in India and would benefit further studies on biosystematics and plant breeding programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The numerical approach for the study of wear performance of breadfruit seed shell ash particles (BFSAp) and Sodium hydroxide (OH)/silane (APS)functionalized Momordica angustisepala fiber (MAf)/epoxy hybrid composites were investigated. The MAf fibers were treated with an OH-APS solution. Hardness values, wear rate and wear mechanism of the samples were determined. A 65.82% improvement in wear resistance was obtained at the load of 30N of 30wt%MAf-20wt%BFSAp composite. The wear rate and wear damage followed in this order: epoxy(matrix)

Introduction: Mountain papaya (Vasconcellea pubescens A.DC.) and bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) fruit extract have total flavonoids and some metabolite from its contains. The use of a single dose in the treatment of diabetes is often considered to lack a strong effect. Giving a combination of the compound is a solution to provide a synergistic effect in treatment. Material and Methods: Rat were divided into eight groups (normal, negative control, glibenclamide as a positive control, and five dose extract group). The single dose mountain papaya extract (MPE) and bitter melon extract (BME) were given at 174 mg/kg b.w of MPE, and 380 mg/kg b.w of BME in oral administration. Combination of MPE:BME (25:75, 50:50, 75:25)% or (87:190; 44:285 and 130:95) mg/kg b.w in oral administration. Induction of diabetes used alloxan dose of 150 mg/kg b.w intraperitoneally. The treatment was performed for 21 days with a frequency of once a day. Blood sugar level was measured at pretest, 7th, 14th, and 21st days. At the end of the test, measurements of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and pancreatic morphology were measured. Data were analyzed by ANOVA statistic. Results: The single and combination of MPE-BME showed an decrease in blood glucose levels significantly compared with the negative control (p = 0.05). The same results from measurements of levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and pancreatic morphology. Conclusions: Based on the research, a combination of the MPE-BME had antidiabetic and antioxidant activity, but the activity was not significantly different from both single-dose extract (p> 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In attempt to investigate the antimicrobial activity of the Gac fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis) seeds' aril, seed extract, and crude seed aril oil against some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria using microdilution assay, seed arils were extracted using ethanol\ethylacetate (6:4), aqueous extraction of the seeds and crude seed aril oil were used. This study shows that the extract of seed arils exhibited the best antimicrobial activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the ethanol\ethylacetate ranges between 0.391 and 3.125mg/ml. The extract showed significant inhibition against all bacteria Bacillus subtilis; Staphylococcus aureus; Micrococcus luteus; Klebsiella pneumonia, and Enterobacter aerogenes. The maximum antibacterial activities were observed against S. aureus by the seed aril extract (0.391 mg/ml), while the crude oil showed no antimicrobial activity in this study. The seed aqueous extract showed inhibition against S. aureus only with the concentration of (12.5 mg/ml). Therefore, the results of this study show that the antibacterial activity of the Gac fruit seed aril extracts can be beneficial for the development of alternative antibacterial sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was aimed to determine the phytochemical content, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities along with exploring antineoplastic potency of Momordica subangulata subsp. renigera seeds. Methanolic extract (5 g) of seeds of Momordica subangulata (MESMS) was prepared by maceration of 250 g powdered sample with 500 mL methanol at room temperature. Different in vitro assays were used to estimate total phenolic and flavonoid contents as well as determine free radical scavenging activities of MESMS. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of MESMS were found to be 113.25 and 48.6 mg (g of extract)−1 in terms of gallic acid and catechin equivalent, respectively. The MESMS showed very good scavenging activity on DPPH (IC50: 7.78 μg mL−1) and ABTS (IC50: 9.10 μg mL−1) radicals in respect to nitric oxide (IC50: 52.45 μg mL−1) and superoxide (IC50: 68.16 μg mL−1) radicals. In vitro MESMS showed 21.76–89.37% inhibitory effect against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells at the concentration range of 3.125–100 μg mL−1 and the inhibitory effect was increased with increasing of concentration. In addition, MESMS (at 10 and 20 mg kg−1) significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the viable EAC cell count and body weight gain of mice due to tumor burden as well as increased 38.35% and 55.35% life span and rescued the deteriorated haematological parameters of cancer cell bearing mice. Moreover, apoptotic characteristics and induction of p53 gene expression in MESMS-treated EAC cells were noted during fluorescence microscopic observation and RT-PCR analysis. Finally it can be summarized that MESMS with rich phenolic content and antioxidant activity, inhibited EAC through p53-dependent apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Momordica plant species (Cucurbitaceae), have been used for centuries in traditional medicine and for nutritional purposes. Plants from this family are thus claimed to be phytochemically rich, representing an inexhaustible source of natural products. However, the chemical space of these Momordica species has not yet been fully decoded, and due to the inherent complexity of plant metabolomes, the characterization of the Momordica phytochemistry remains challenging. Thus, in this study we propose the use of molecular networking to unravel the molecular families within the metabolomes of four Momordica species (M. cardiospermoides, M. balsamina, M. charantia and M. foetida) and highlight the relevance of molecular networking in exploring the chemotaxonomy of these plants. In silico annotation tools (Network Annotation Propagation and DEREPLICATOR) and an unsupervised substructure identification tool (MS2LDA) were also explored to complement the classical molecular networking output and integration using MolNetEnhancer within GNPS. This allowed for the visualisation of chemical classes and the variety of substructures within the molecular families. The use of computational tools in this study highlighted various classes of metabolites, such as a wide range of flavonoids, terpenoids and lipids. Herein, these species are revealed to be phytochemically rich plants consisting of many biologically active metabolites differentially distributed within the different species, with the metabolome of M. cardiospermoides dereplicated in this paper for the first time.

Momordica cymbalaria Hook F. (MC), belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae, is a plant with several biological activities. This detailed, comprehensive review gathers and presents all the information related to the geographical distribution, morphology, therapeutic uses, nutritional values, pharmacognostic characters, phytochemicals, and pharmacological activities of MC. The available literature showed that MC fruits are utilized as a stimulant, tonic, laxative, stomachic, and to combat inflammatory disorders. The fruits are used to treat spleen and liver diseases and are applied in folk medicine to induce abortion and treat diabetes mellitus. The phytochemical screening studies report that MC fruits contain tannins, alkaloids, phenols, proteins, amino acids, vitamin C, carbohydrates, β -carotenes, palmitic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, α-eleostearic acid, and γ-linolenic acid. The fruits also contain calcium, sodium, iron, potassium, copper, manganese, zinc, and phosphorus. Notably, momordicosides are cucurbitacin triterpenoids reported in the fruits of MC. Diverse pharmacological activities of MC, such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, anticancer, antiangiogenic, antifertility, antiulcer, antimicrobial, antidiarrheal and anthelmintic, have been reported by many investigators. M. cymbalaria methanolic extract is safe up to 2,000 mg/kg. Furthermore, no symptoms of toxicity were found. These pharmacological activities are mechanistically interpreted and described in this review. Additionally, the microscopic, powder and physiochemical characteristics of MC tubers are also highlighted. In summary, possesses remarkable medicinal values, which warrant further detailed studies to exploit its potential benefits therapeutically., Competing Interests: Marwa Fayed is an Academic Editor for PeerJ., (©2024 Mohammed et al.)

Abstract Heat stress adversely affects plant physiological and metabolic processes and is considered an important constraint on crop growth and productivity in agriculture worldwide. Grafting techniques are capable of mitigating various stresses. Here, compared with self-grafted cucumbers subjected to 42 °C heat stress for 24 h, we found that Momordica-grafted cucumbers exhibited higher cytomembrane thermostability, less photoinhibition reflected by their chlorophyll fluorescence, and a reduction in oxidative stress. To better understand the mechanism, optimized Blue-Native/SDS-PAGE two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) was firstly applied to entire thylakoid membrane of grafted cucumbers, and 25 significantly differential accumulated protein spots were identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF MS analysis. The proteomic analysis revealed that high temperatures suppressed the accumulation of 13 proteins in self-grafted cucumbers, while Momordica rootstock stimulated the accumulation of 12 of these proteins. The transcriptional analysis indicated that grafting onto Momordica significantly increased the expression of genes that encode the photosystem II subunit S (PsbS) and minor light-harvesting complexes (CP24, CP26 and CP29.1), which are closely associated with non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) after heat shock. Immunoblotting for PsbS corroborated the Momordica-induced acceleration of heat dissipation. Taken together, Momordica rootstock alleviated heat-induced photoinhibition by maintaining intracellular redox homeostasis, stabilizing the protein library of the thylakoid membrane and modulating NPQ in the scions. Highlights • Momordica-grafting attenuated heat-induced photoinhibition and oxidative stress in cucumber leaves. • Momordica-grafting stabilized protein library of thylakoid membrane under heat exposure. • Momordica-grafting stimulated PsbS accumulation and NPQ of their scions under heat stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is no consensus on the properties of an ideal dressing for treating wounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of dressings using topically administered bitter melon extract with olive oil, pure olive oil, nitrofurazone, and saline in the healing of ischemic wounds. A sample group of 48 rats was used in the trial. Their wounds were treated with bitter melon extract, pure olive oil, nitrofurazone, and saline. Data were collected between October 2014 and April 2015. The highest percentage (94.7%) of wound healing was observed in the bitter melon extract group and the lowest percentage (86.3%) in the nitrofurazone group. At the end of the 21st day, macroscopic reepithelialization was observed in 9 wounds in the bitter melon extract group (75%), in 6 wounds in the pure olive oil group (50%), and in only 3 wounds in the nitrofurazone and saline groups (25%). It can be concluded that dressing with a bitter melon extract is more efficient in the treatment of wounds than using nitrofurazone or saline, and that dressing with olive oil accelerates wound healing, although not as much as dressing with bitter melon extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper an attempt has been made to highlight the physicochemical study of methnolic extract of leaves of Tilkor carried out by soxhlet extraction process, phytochemical analysis of the extract, separations, isolation of bioactive components through Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) as well as column chromatography respectively and characterisation of isolated compound by the means of several spectral analysis such as 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR, U.V. Mass spectroscopy. The methanolic extract of leaves of the plant (in tropical conditions of Mithilanchal, Bihar, India) reveal the presence of phytochemicals like alkaloids, flavanoids, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, steroids, terpenoids etc. The secondary metaboilities showed antimicrobial activity. The two isolated compounds were characterised by spectroscopic techniques which revealed the structure of compound A as - stigmosterol and compound B as tritriaconatane and is also found to have antimicrobial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Momordica (Momordica charantia L.) is unconventional crop of the Cucurbitaceae family for the central regions of the Russian. Fruits of this crop have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect. The influence of promising growth regulators from plants on the qualitative composition of fruits momordika has been studied. The positive effect of leaf extract yakon as phytoregulator on productivity increasing and fruit quality of momordika is shown.