CHAPTER 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter presents the related literature and studies after the thorough and in-depth

search done by the researchers. This will also present the synthesis of the art, theoretical and

conceptual framework to fully understand the research to be done and lastly the definition of terms

for better comprehension of the study.

LOCAL STUDIES

A Philippine herb that has recently gained international recognition for its possible benefits

in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Despite its bitter taste, it has also become a popular nutritional

drink for a boost of vim and vigor. In fact, the more bitter, the better, as it is believed that the

bitterness is proportionate to its potency. Studies have suggested that ampalaya contains a

hypoglycemic polypeptide, a plant insulin responsible for its blood sugar lowering effect. Other

benefits suggested were body detoxification (including removal of nicotine), strengthening of the

immune system and fertility regulation.

A number of scientific studies that have so far been undertaken on the blood sugar lowering

effect of ampalaya, all have yielded positive results. The most compelling of these studies is a 10-

year trial, which was conducted by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development

(PCHRD) that compared ampalaya leaves with the anti-diabetes drug glibenclamide. The results

of the trial showed that the blood sugar lowering effect of a 100 milligram per kilo dose per day

of ampalaya is comparable to 2.5 milligrams of the anti-diabetes drug Glibenclamide taken twice

a day. This means the action of ampalaya on blood sugar is equivalent to the action of the medicine.

The unequivocal scientific evidence on the beneficial effect of ampalaya on diabetes has prompted
our Department of Health (DOH) into elevating the status of ampalaya from a mere nutritional

supplement to that of a medicine. The blood sugar lowering property of ampalaya is attributed to

momordicin, a substance that is sometimes called plant insulin, which is also responsible for the

bitter taste of the plant’s leaves and fruits.

The standard treatment for controlling type 2 diabetes includes diet, exercise, and anti-

diabetic medications. Hence, regular intake of ampalaya alone will not be able to control the blood

sugar of most diabetics. People with the disease must still exercise and stick to a diabetic diet.

Furthermore, for many diabetics, other medicines might have to be taken. In any case, regular

intake of ampalaya will, at the least, lower the dose requirements for other anti-diabetic drugs.

Ampalaya is excellent for diabetes because it enhances insulin secretion by the islets of

Langerhans. Reduces glycogenesis in liver tissue; Enhances peripheral glucose utilization;

Increases serum protein levels; Restores the altered histological architecture of the islets of

Langerhans. The Philippine Department of Health has endorsed Ampalaya Bitter Melon

(Momordica Charantia) as an alternative herbal medicine for liver problems. Research about

Ampalaya has shown that Ampalaya increases the production of beta cells by the pancreas, thereby

improving the body’s ability to produce insulin, that controls the blood sugar for diabetics.

Powered leaves used as astringent to treat haemorrhoids and piles; Sap or juice of leaves

used to treat skin problems such as eczema, acne, psoriasis, leprosy and scabies; Pounded leaves

used to treat for burns and scald; Infusion of leaves used to treat fever; Infusion used to treat various

stomach problems and to improve appetite; Poultice of leaves used to treat headache; Infusion of

leaves used as mouthwash to treat tooth ache and other mouth problems.

FOREIGN STUDIES
 Momordica charantia as known as bitter melon or gourd, is a daily consumption as food

and traditional medicinal plant in Southeast Asia and Indo-China. It has been shown to possess

anticancer, antidepressant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiobesity, antioxidant,

and antiulcer properties. Its common phytochemical components include alkaloids, charantin,

flavonoids, glycosides, phenolics, tannins, and terpenoids. This plant is rich in various saponins

including momordicin, momordin, momordicoside, karavilagenin, karaviloside, and kuguacin, all

of which have been reported to contribute to its remedial properties including antibacterial,

antifungal, antiviral, and antiparasitic infections. Based on established literature on the

anthelmintic activity of M. charantia and possible mode of action, this review article has attempted

to compile M. charantia could be further explored for the development of potential anthelmintic

drug.

Ricardo M. Reyes, an executive of East-West Seed Company, was one of the main speakers

at the First International Bittergourd Conference held recently at the International Crops Research

Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Hyderabad, India. He spoke on the

“Current status of bittergourd (ampalaya) in Asia and market potential of bittergourd as a

functional vegetable.” He cited the fact that about 340,000 hectares

of land are planted to this vine vegetable every year. The biggest producers of this highly

profitable crop are India, China, Pakistan, Vietnam, and the

Philippines. In Asia, an estimated 58% of the area planted to ampalaya still use open pollinated

varieties (OPVs); however, there is a steady shift to the planting of F1 hybrids because of

higher yields, disease resistance, and good eating quality.

Reyes cited that hybrid ampalaya varieties usually yield 20 to 30 tons per hectare compared

to the usual 8 to 10 tons per hectare of the traditional varieties. Reyes also noted that there is a
wide range and diversity of ampalaya varieties grown in different countries. Indian bittergourds,

he said, are mostly spiny, oblong, or cylindrical, with green or white fruits. Chinese types are

smooth to warty types. The Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand also have distinct varietal

preferences. Bittergourd is a functional vegetable that contributes to lowering high blood sugar

and high blood pressure. It has been used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes and is now

commercially available as tea (from fruits or leaves), juice, extracts, and pills.

Global demand for fresh and processed bittergourds is expected to increase, according to

Reyes. The international conference was hosted by the Asian Vegetable Research and

Development Center–The World Vegetable Center, and Bittergourd Project funded by the Federal

Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Germany. The international

conference aims to promote innovative research and scientific exchange focused on

bittergourd. International plenary speakders included the world’s leading scientists and

practitioners dedicated to bittergourd research and development in the fields of agriculture,

nutrition, and health.

M. charantia is an annual climbing vine probably native to tropical and subtropical Africa

and Asia (Englberger, 2009). It is now widely distributed throughout tropical and subtropical

regions on all continents. It is very invasive in Guam (Englberger, 2009), and has also been

reported as invasive in other parts of the Pacific (PIER, 2014), Brazil (I3N-Brazil, 2014) and the

Caribbean (Acevedo-Rodriquez and Strong, 2012; Oviedo Prieto et al., 2012). It interferes with

the growth of a wide range of vegetables, annual, perennial, orchard and plantation crops by

climbing over them, competing for light and possibly for nutrients and water, raising the humidity

around their bases, and interfering with access, management and harvesting.
 Ampalaya, also called bitter melon or balsam pear, makes up a staple in Indian and Chinese

cuisines, and is highly regarded in tropical Asia for its medicinal properties, explains Ohio State

University. Like most other veggies, ampalaya is low in calories, and each pod contains just 21

calories, or 1 percent of the calorie intake in a 2,000-calorie diet. Within ampalaya's white and

bitter flesh, you'll find several essential nutrients, including vitamins that support your health.

Momordica charantia, commonly called bitter melon, is a plant belonging to Cucurbitaceae

family known for centuries for its pharmacological activities, and nutritional properties. Due to the

presence of many bioactive compounds, some of which possess potent biological actions, this plant

is used in folk medicine all over the world for the treatment of different pathologies, mainly

diabetes, but also cancer, and other inflammation-associated diseases.

It has been used in various Asian traditional medicines for the treatment of

cholera, anemia, diarrhea blood diseases, bronchitis, gout, dysentery, gonorrhea

rheumatism, ulcer, colic, worms, disease of liver and spleen, cancer and diabetes etc. In

preliminary phytochemical analysis we observed glycosides, phytosterols, alkaloids, phenolic,

saponins compounds, fats, proteins, and fixed oils, flavonoids, and thin layer chromatography

(TLC) was also performed. The medicinal values of Bitter melon lie in the bioactive phytochemical

constituents that are non-nutritive chemicals that produce clear-cut physiological effects on human

body and protect them from various diseases. Juice of Momordica charantia the leaves used to

treat piles totally. Momordica charantia is used as a blood purifier due to its bitter tonic properties.

Theoretical Framework