ABSTRACT
The genus Momordica is identified as a large genus consisting of about 80 species. Momordica species (family: Cucurbitaceae) are widely used for the treatment of several diseases in folklore remedies, including malaria. Among the Momordica species, Momordica balsamina L., Momordica charantia L., Momordica cochinchinensis L. Spreng., Momordica cymbalaria Hook.f., Momordica dioica Roxb. Ex Willd., and Momordica foetida Schumach. are well reported to exert potent therapeutic activities. The present chapter elaborates on botanical identity, distribution, and antimalarial responses of Momordica species through preclinical and clinical studies, phytochemical constituents, cellular mechanisms of antimalarial activity, and traditional and other potential uses of species in Momordica genera. Different extracts of Momordica species are reported to exert potent antimalarial activity, and thereby, several active compounds, such as balsaminol F, balsaminoside A, balsaminol B, balsaminol C, etc., have been isolated. In addition, Momordica species are widely used to manage diabetes mellitus, cancers, allergies, cardiovascular complications, etc., and based on that, several drug lead molecules are introduced. However, extensive research is needed to further isolate active compounds from Momordica species, and important attention needs be paid to clinical studies on therapeutic activities.
