ISOLATION OF PHYTOESTROGEN FROM MOMORDICA CHARANTIA SEEDS (BITTER MELON)

Momordica charantia Linn. has traditionally been used to induce the menstruation and abortions in women of Amazon and Brazil. Phenolphthalein isolated from the crude ethanol extract of M. charantia seeds has been recently identified as phytoestrogen. Its structure was elucidated using IR, ^sup 1^H NMR and Mass spectroscopic methods. Phenolphthalein molecule was reported for the first time from M. charantia seeds. In vivo studies were conducted using an ovariectomized rat model to determine the estrogenic activity of the isolated molecule. To determine the estrogenic effects, isolated phenolphthalein [50, 100 and 125mg/kg B. W.], authentic phenolphthalein sample [100mg/kg B. W.] and 17 β-estradiol [1µg/rat] administered orally to ovariectomized 25 days old immature rats for 5 days. Estrogenic potency was determined by analyzing uterine weight, uterine DNA concentration and vaginal cell cornification. Phenolphthalein produced a dosedependent increase in uterine weight, increase in DNA concentration and differentiated vaginal cells in ovariectomized rat. Morphological changes were observed in uterus like increase in diameter of uterus, thickness of myometrium, endometrium and epithelial cell height. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence showing in vivo estrogenic activity of phenolic phytoestrogen from M. charantia seeds. This novel class of natural phytoestrogen has the potential to be developed for use as dietary supplement in the treatment of menopausal symptoms. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]