Bitter melon has anti-ulcer properties. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Antiulcer activity of methanolic extract of Momordica charantia L. in rats.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Jun 25;123(3):464-9. Epub 2009 Mar 26. PMID: 19501279
Department of Pharmacology, Krupanidhi College of Pharmacy, Bangalore 560034, India.
AIM OF THE STUDY: Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) commonly known as 'bitter gourd' is a multi purpose herb cultivated in different parts of the world for its edible fruits. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of standardized methanolic extract of Momordica charantia L. fruits on gastric and duodenal ulcers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect was evaluated in acetic acid induced chronic gastric ulcer, pylorus ligation induced gastric ulcer, ethanol induced gastric ulcer, stress induced gastric ulcer, indomethacin induced gastric ulcer and cysteamine induced duodenal ulcer model. The extract was administered orally at two different doses of 100 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg. RESULTS: The healing of acetic acid induced gastric ulcer was increased by both doses of the extract. In pylorus-ligated rats, the extract showed significant decrease in ulcer index, total acidity, free acidity and pepsin content and an increase in gastric mucosal content. The extract also reduced the ulcer index in stress induced, ethanol induced and indomethacin induced gastric ulcers and cysteamine induced duodenal ulcer. CONCLUSION: The methanolic extract of Momordica charantia L. fruit increases healing of gastric ulcer and also prevents development of gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers in rats.