Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng.

Family:

Cucurbitaceae.

Habitat:

Cultivated throughout the country, especially found in Assam, Bengal, South India and Andaman Islands.

Ayurvedic:

Karkataka, Kaaravella-jalaja.

Folk:

Kakrol (Maharashtra), Bhat-karelaa, Gulkakraa.

Action:

Leaf and fruit—used externally for lumbago, ulceration, fracture of bone. Seed—bechic, aperient, emmenagogue, anti-inflammatory, deobstruent. (Used for obstructions of liver and spleen).

The tuberous root contains saponins belonging to the pentacyclic triterpene glycoside series. Seeds contain momordica saponins I and II (ester glycosides of gypsogenin and quillaic acid respectively), the diterpenoid columbin, oleanolic acid, its derivative momordic acid and bessisterol.

The seeds contain the glycoprotein, momorcochin S, which exhibits RNA N-glycosidase activity.