Mala Agarwal

Momordica Charantia L.:a Potent Medicinal Plant Mala Agarwal

Momordica charantia L.(bitter melon or bitter gourd)is a flowering vine of family cucurbitaceae. It is a tropical plant that is widely cultivated i Asia, India, East Africa and South America for its intensely bitter fruits. It is a climbing perennial that usually grows up to 5 cm,and bears elongated fruits with a knobby surface. It is a useful medicinal and vegetable plant for human health and one of the most promising plant for diabetes. Bitter melon is a powerful nutrient-dense plant composed of a complex array of beneficial compounds. These include bio-active chemicals,vitamins,minerals and antioxidants which all contribute to its remarkable versatility in treating a wide range of illness. Based on the multitude of medical conditions that it can treat ,scientists are more and more interested in studying its bio-active compounds and their actions on the body This book is a comprehensive study of medicinal plant Momordica charantia L. Main emphasis is on in vitro studies of M.charantia which includes complete regeneration of plant and production of bioactive compounds from callus cultures.