1. Anti-diabetic effect
Momordica charantia contains steroidal saponins such as momordica charantia, insulin-like peptides and alkaloids, which give bitter melon a hypoglycemic activity. Momordica charantia stimulates the release of insulin and hinders the formation of glucose in the blood stream. This function may play a huge role in the treatment of diabetes, especially non-insulin-dependent diabetes. The hypoglycemic function is attributed to two substances: (1) Momordica charantia-a crystalline substance obtained from the ethanol extract of the bitter melon fruit. Momordica charantia reduced the blood glucose of the total number of experimental rabbits by 42% at a controlled dose of 50 mg/kg. Momordica charantia shows pancreatic and external pancreatic effects, and has a slight antispasmodic and anticholinergic effect. (2) P-insulin (or v-insulin, because it is plant insulin). Its structure is a macromolecular peptide configuration, and pharmacologically it is similar to bovine insulin. P-insulin is composed of two polypeptide chains connected by disulfide bonds. Subcutaneous and intramuscular administration of P-insulin to diabetic patients has a hypoglycemic effect. The peak period of action is different from that of bovine insulin after 2 hours, and appears after 4-8 hours.
2. Anti-virus function and others
The standard extract of bitter melon has been proved to be effective for psoriasis, cancer-induced susceptibility, and pain caused by neurological complications, and may delay the onset of cataracts or retinopathy and suppress HIV by destroying the DNA of filtering toxins. Its anti-cancer properties are partly due to its boosting effect on immune function. Studies have shown that bitter melon extract inhibits lymphocyte proliferation and the activity of macrophages and lymphocytes.
Bitter melon ethanol extract has antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella, Proteus, Pneumoniae, Aerogenes, Typhoid, etc. It is a broad-spectrum Antibacterial drugs.
3.Hypoglycemic effect
After taking normal bitter gourd extract, blood sugar can be significantly reduced. Subcutaneous injection of anterior pituitary extract in rats that cause hyperglycemia can also reduce blood sugar by administering the water extract of bitter gourd pulp. Its mode of action is similar to that of tolbutamide but is stronger. It lowers blood sugar by stimulating pancreatic β-cells to release insulin.
