Research Progress on the Hypoglycemic Effects and Mechanisms of Action of Momordica charantia polysaccharide

With the improvement of living standards, the number of people diagnosed with diabetes is increasing, leading to diabetes-related expenditures reaching billions of dollars. Finding a simple, convenient, effective, and long-lasting drug for the treatment of diabetes is urgent. Bitter melon has a history of thousands of years of consumption and medicinal use in China, with numerous health benefits, including the prevention and treatment of diabetes, promotion of appetite, improvement of eyesight, aid in digestion, detoxification, and diuretic effects, earning it the title of “medicinal vegetable.” Momordica charantia polysaccharide (MCP) is a type of heteropolysaccharide extracted from bitter melon fruit, which is an important component of bitter melon and has multiple biological functions, particularly in the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This article summarizes the research results on the use of MCP in the treatment of diabetes over the past 20 years, using data from various databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Springer, Wiley, ACS, and CNKI, as well as doctoral and master’s theses. The article discusses the most commonly used methods and techniques for extracting, isolating, and purifying MCP. It also explores the extraction methods, molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, and structural characteristics of MCP and provides a detailed account of the hypoglycemic effects of MCP in cell models, animal models, and human experiments. This review lays the foundation for the further development and application of MCP.