17 Int.J.Curr.Biotechnol. Volume 3; Issue 8; August, 2015

Anjamma M and N. Lakshmi Bhavani, Comparative Phytochemical Constituents Evaluation from the Fruit Extractsof Momordica charantia L. and Momordica dioica Roxb, Int.J.Curr.Biotechnol., 2015, 3(8):17-21.

Comparative Phytochemical Constituents Evaluation from the Fruit Extracts of Momordicacharantia L. and Momordica dioica Roxb

Anjamma M and N. Lakshmi Bhavani*

Department of Botany, University College of Science, Saifabd, Osmania University, Hyderabad,Telangana, India-500004.

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Article History:Received 12 August 2015Received in revised form 19 August 2015Accepted 22 August 2015Available online 30 August 2015

Key words:Momordica charantia and Momordicadioica, Phytochemical Compounds, Quali-tative analysis.

The present paper reports the phytochemical studies of M. charantia and M. dioica whichbelongs to the families Cucurbitaceae, which is a slender, tendril climbing, annual vine. Bittermelon is a common food in tropics and is widely used as medicinal plants in countries likeIndia, Brazil, China, Africa etc. In the present study the qualitative analysis confirmed thepresence of various phytochemicals. In M. charantia primary metabolites Phenols, Saponins,Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Anthraquinones, Cardiac glycosides, Carbohydrates, Triterpenoidsand Steroids were present in Methanol, Ethanol, Chloroform, Pet Ether and Water and M.diocia showed Phenols, Saponins, Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Anthraquinones, Cardiac glycosides,Carbohydrates, Triterpenoids and Steroids except Tannins and Anthraquinones in Methanol,Ethanol, Chloroform, Pet Ether and Water extacts. The medicinal values of Bitter melon liesin the bioactive phytochemical constituents that are non nutritive chemicals that producedefinite physiological effects on human body and protect them from various diseases. Analysisrevealed the presence of similar kind of Phytochemical in both fruit extracts. The presentstudy confirms the wild relationship of Momordica charantia and Momordica dioica, whichcan be further explored to the comparative biological activity for further confirmation.

IntroductionThe medicinal values of plants lie in some chemicalsubstances known as phytochemical that produces adefinite physiological action on the human body.Knowledge of the chemical constituents of the plant isdesirable, not only for the discovery of therapeutic agentbut also such information may be of value as precursorsfor the synthesis of complex chemical substances (Hill,1952). Momordica charantia belongs to Cucurbitaceaefamily. Its commonly known as Bitter melon, karela andkakara. It is a valuable herb gifted by mother nature. It isone of the healthiest vegetables known to man. A partfrom being eaten mainly as vegetable is a slender, tendrilclimbing, annual vine. M. charantia in various system oftraditional medicines for several ailments (antidiabetic,contraceptive, jaundice, abdominal pain, kidney (stone),piles, pneumonia, fever etc.) focused the investigator’sattention on this plant (Grover et al., 2004). Guanylatecyclase is thought to be linked to the pathogenesis andreplication of not only psoriasis, but leukemia and canceras well (Takemoto et al., 1983). Bitter melon is a commonfood item of the tropics and is used for the treatment ofcancer, diabetes and many ailments (Cefalu et al., 2008;

Leung et al., 2009; Nahas et al., 2009). It is a potenthypoglycemic agent (Singh et al, 2011) and itshypoglycemic actions for potential benefit in diabetesmellitus are possible due to at least three different groupsof constituents in bitter melon. These include alkaloids,insulin like peptides, and a mixture of steroidalsapogenins known as charantin. Our traditional systemof medicine and folklore are using the whole medicinalplant or a part for the treatment of all types of diseasessuccessfully since the time immemorial. It includesantibacterial, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant,antitumor, cytotoxic agents (Rastogi et al., 2009). This isbecause the traditional medicines act as an easilyavailable and effective source of medicines to peoplewith broad spectrum actions like high percentage of curewith single therapeutic dose, cost effective and free fromtoxicity (Yadav et al., 2011; Mali et al., 2005).

Momordica dioica Roxb. ex. Willd is a perennial,dioceous climbing creeper belonging to familyCucurbitaceae. Its common name is Parora, kakora andBoda kakara. Flowering occurs during June to July andfruiting during September to November. Leaves of plantare simple membranous, broadly ovate in outline, variablein length 3.8-10 cm by 3.2-8 cm, cordate at the base,deeply lobed in 3-5 triangular lobes, punctated, entirebut distantly denticulate, petiole 1.3-4.5 cm. long

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*Corresponding author.Email address: anjumanthena@gmail.com

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channelled above, pubescent and glandular. It is avaluable herb gifted by nature. It is a perennial dioeceousclimber with tuberous roots found throughout India(Fransworth, 1966). The fruits have been used in thetreatment of inflammation caused by lizard excretion(Sastri, 1962) and mental and digestive disorders(Nadkarni, 1976). The whole plant is known for its use inthe treatment of eye disease and poisoning and fever(Satyavathi, 1987). The fruit pulps have been proved forits hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatoryand analgesic activities (Ilango et al., 2009, 2004 and 2003)and anti-feedant (Narashman et al., 2005). The Leaves ofthe plant are antihelminthic and aphrodisiac. It is alsoused to cure tridosha, fever and alters pitta, jaundice,asthma, bronchitis, piles, hepatic damages, mentaldigestive disorders, bleeding piles bowel affection andurinary complaints. The juice of the leaves mixed withcoconut, pepper, red sandalwood etc in order to form anointment and applied to the head to relieve pain in thehead. Leaf paste applied externally to skin and orally twoor three times daily for skin disease. The present studyof Momordica charantia and Momordica dioica hasbeen taken up to carry out qualitative phytochemicalanalysis for tannins, Phenols, Saponins, Alkaloids,Flavonoids, Anthraquinones, Cardiac glycosides,Carbohydrates, Triterpenoids and Steroids.

Material and MethodsThe healthy M. dioica and M. charantia and fruit plantmaterial were collected from the Adilabad district,Telangana (Fig-1). These plants material (fruits) weresubjected to phytochemical analysis (qualitative) for thepresence of important secondary metabolite compounds.

Qualitative analysis:Preparation of plant extract:The fruits of the collected plant material was washedthoroughly in tap water, shade dried in open air separately.Powder of the fruit is obtained by grinding themmechanically. About 100 gm of each dried powder of theplant were soaked separately in 100 ml of differentsolvents like methanol, ethanol, chloroform, pet ether andhot water in conical flasks and then subjected to agitationon a rotary magnetic shaker for about 72 hours. Afterthree days the plant extracts were subjected to filtration,filtered with No 42 whatman filter paper separately.Concentrated extracts was preserved in sterilized air tightlabeled bottles and preserved in refrigerator at 4ÚC untilrequired for further use. The extract was filtered underreduced pressure using rotary flash evaporator andsubjected for further preliminary phytochemical tests.Different tests conducted for the identification ofphytochemicals is adopted by using the methodsdescribed by (Mohan et al., 2015; Edeogal et al., 2005).

Qualitative analysis:Test for identification of Alkaloids: About 0.5 gm ofmethanol extract was taken in a test tube and was dilutedand homogenized with 10 ml distilled water, dissolved in20 ml dilute HCl solution and clarified by filtration. Thefiltrate was tested with Drangendroff’s and Mayer’sreagent. The treated solution was observed forprecipitation of white or creamy colour.

Test for identification of Flavonoids: About 0.5 gm ofextract was introduced into 10 ml of ethyl acetate in a testtube and heated in boiling water for 1 min. The mixturewas then filtered. About 4 ml of the filtrate was shakenwith 1 ml 1% aluminium chloride solution and incubated

Figure – 1: A & B M. dioica plant and dioica fruit, C&D M. charantia plant and charantia fruit

19 Int.J.Curr.Biotechnol. Volume 3; Issue 8; August, 2015

S. No. Phytochemicals Methanol Ethanol Chloroform Pet Ether Water

1 Tannins + _ _ + _

2 Phenols + _ + + +

3 Saponins + + + _ +

4 Alkaloids + + + +

5 Flavonoids + + + _ _

6 Anthraquinones _ _ _ _ _

7 Cardiac glycosides + + + + _

8 Carbohydrates + + + + +

9 Triterpenoids + + + + +

10 Steroids + + + + +

Table -1: Phytochemical screening test fruit extracts of Momordica charantia L.

S. No. Phytochemicals Methanol Ethanol Chloroform Pet Ether Water

1 Tannins + - - - -

2 Phenols + + + +

3 Saponins + + + _ +

4 Alkaloids + + + + +

5 Flavonoids + + + _ _

6 Anthraquinones _ _ _ _ +

7 Cardiac glycosides _ + + _ +

8 Carbohydrates + + + + +

9 Triterpenoids + + + + +

10 Steroids + + + _ +

Table – 2: Phytochemical screening test of fruit extracts of Momordica dioica Roxb.

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Figure – 2 : Preliminary phytochemical tests of fruit extracts of A). M. charantia and B). M. dioica

for 10 min. Formation of yellow colour in the presence of1 ml dilute ammonia solution indicated the presence offlavonoids.

Test for identification of Phenols: About 0.5 gm of extractwas taken in a test tube, mixed with 100ml distilled waterand heated gently. To this, 2 ml of ferric chloride solutionwas added and observed for the formation of green orblue colour.

Test for identification of Saponins: About 0.5 gm ofmethanol extract was taken in a test tube and 5 ml distilledwater was added to it. The solution was shakenvigorously and observed for persistent froth. Thefrothing was mixed with 3 drops of olive oil and shakenvigorously after which it was observed for the formationof an emulsion.

Test for identification of Steroids: About 0.5 gm ofmethanol extract was taken in a test tube and 2 ml ofacetic anhydride was added to it and 2 ml of sulphuricacid was added by the sides of the test tube and observedfor the colour change to violet or blue green.

Test for identification of Tannins: Five grams of theground powder was extracted with 10 ml ammonicalchloroform and 5 ml chloroform. The mixture was filteredand the filtrate was shaken with 10 drops of 0.5 M

sulphuric acid. Creamish white precipitate was observedfor the presence of tannins.

Test for identification of Terpenoids: 5 ml of the methanolextract was mixed with 2 ml of chloroform and 2mlconcentrated sulphuric acid to form a layer. A reddishbrown coloration of the interface showed the presenceof Terpenoids.

Results and DiscussionThe present study contributes valuable information ofbioactive compounds in M. charantia and M. diocia,which is a plant with a variety of ethnic medicinal uses.The qualitative analysis of M. charantia showsMethanol, Ethanol, Chloroform, Pet Ether and Waterextracts contain bioactive compounds such as Phenols,Saponins, Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Anthraquinones,Cardiac glycosides, Carbohydrates, Triterpenoids andSteroids except Tannins and Anthraquinones (Table-1 &Fig- 2, A) which is similar to the reports of (Singh et al.,2012; Prarthna et al., 2014) and M. diocia showsMethanol, Ethanol, Chloroform, Pet Ether and Waterextracts contain bioactive compounds such as Phenols,Saponins, Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Anthraquinones,Cardiac glycosides, Carbohydrates, Triterpenoids andSteroids except Tannins and Anthraquinones (Table-2 &Fig- 2, B) which is similar to the reports of Ilango et al.,2012; Ali Aberoumand, 2011). Analysis revealed the

21 Int.J.Curr.Biotechnol. Volume 3; Issue 8; August, 2015

presence of similar kind of Phytochemical in both fruitextracts. The present study confirms the wild relationshipof Momordica charantia and Momordica dioica, whichcan be further explored to the comparative biologicalactivity for further confirmation.

ConclusionIt is concluded that M. charantia and M. diocia is aplant with a variety of ethnic medicinal uses. Thequalitative analysis of M. charantia shows Methanol,Ethanol, Chloroform, Pet Ether and Water in presence ofbioactive compounds such as Phenols, Saponins,Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Anthraquinones, Cardiacglycosides, Carbohydrates, Triterpenoids and Steroidswere present in M. charantia except Tannins andAnthraquinones and M. diocia shows Methanol,Ethanol, Chloroform, Pet Ether and Water in presence ofbioactive compounds such as Phenols, Saponins,Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Anthraquinones, Cardiacglycosides, Carbohydrates, Triterpenoids and Steroidswere present in M. charantia except Tannins andAnthraquinones. Analysis revealed the presence ofsimilar kind of Phytochemical in both fruit extracts. Thepresent study confirms the wild relationship ofMomordica dioica with Momordica charantia whichcan be explored to the comparative biological activity forfurther confirmation. This is valuable information forpreparation of drugs in pharmaceutical industry andstress the need for more intensive research since theyplay a great role in healthcare and it can also help thepharmaceutical industry.

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