Kingdom Plantae Family Cucurbitaceae Tribe Joliffieae Scientific name Momordica cymbalaria | Order Cucurbitales Subfamily Cucurbitoideae Subtribe Thladianthinae Rank Species | |
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Similar Momordica dioica, Momordica, Momordica foetida, Momordica balsamina | ||
Momordica cymbalaria (Hook., Fenzl ex Naud.) is a vine of the Momordica genus found in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. It is used in the local folk medicine as an abortifacient and for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. It is a relative of the bitter melon plant (M. charantia) which is also used against diabetes. The plant has also been named Luffa tuberosa (Roxb.) or Momordica tuberosa (Roxb.)
Pharmacological studies indicate possible action of extracts of the plant on several medical conditions. The water extract was reported to have hypoglycemic activity in diabetic rabbits but not in normal rabbits. The ethanol extract was reported to protect rats from isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury.