Karvellaka
Momordica charantia
Karvellaka (Momordica charantia) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Charantin and polypeptide-p bioavailability details as per Karela entry. Cucurbitane-type triterpenoids show improved absorption with lipid co-administration. Dried forms in airtight, moisture-proof containers at 15-30°C.
| Botanical name | Momordica charantia |
|---|---|
| Family | Cucurbitaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Cucurbitales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2874581 · Wikidata Q428750 · NCBI Taxonomy 3673 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Karvellaka |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Tikta, Katu | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Laghu, Ruksha | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Swarasa (fresh juice), Churna (powder), Capsule, Tablet, Kvatha (decoction)
Standard Dosage: 30-50 mL fresh fruit juice daily; 3-6 g dried fruit powder twice daily; 500 mg extract capsule twice daily
Bioavailability: Identical pharmacological profile to Karela (Momordica charantia) — both names refer to the same plant. Charantin and polypeptide-p bioavailability details as per Karela entry. Cucurbitane-type triterpenoids show improved absorption with lipid co-administration.
Optimal Timing: Early morning on empty stomach for glycemic benefits; before meals for appetite regulation
Standardized Extract: Standardized to minimum 2% charantin and 10% total bitter principles (as momordicin); MAP30 protein content quantified for seed-derived extracts
Shelf Life: 24 hours for fresh juice (refrigerated); 18 months for powder; 24 months for capsules and tablets
Storage: Fresh juice requires refrigeration (2-8°C). Dried forms in airtight, moisture-proof containers at 15-30°C. Protein-containing extracts require cold chain (2-8°C).
Marker Compounds: Charantin, Momordicin, Vicine, MAP30 protein, Polypeptide-p, Cucurbitane triterpenoids, Momordicoside K, Momordicoside L
Extraction Methods
- Cold pressing of fresh fruit
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50-70% ethanol)
- Spray drying of juice concentrate
- Supercritical CO2 for saponin-enriched fractions
Synergistic Combinations
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses1
- 2021. Clinical trials with plants in diabetes mellitus therapy: a systematic reviewExpert review of clinical pharmacology. PMID 33884948 · doi:10.1080/17512433.2021.1917380
Randomised controlled trials2
- 2020. Hypoglycemic efficacy and safety of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitusComplementary therapies in medicine. PMID 32951763 · doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102524
- 2003. Effect of bitter melon (Momordica charantia Linn) on level and function of natural killer cells in cervical cancer patients with radiotherapyJournal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet. PMID 12678140
Other clinical studies and reviews9
- 2024. Momordica charantia Bioactive Components: Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Benefits Through Gut Health ModulationJournal of medicinal food. PMID 38770678 · doi:10.1089/jmf.2024.k.0037
- 2024. Therapeutic Potential of Momordicine I from Momordica charantia: Cardiovascular Benefits and MechanismsInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 39408847 · doi:10.3390/ijms251910518
- 2023. The Management of Diabetes Mellitus Using Medicinal Plants and VitaminsInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 37240430 · doi:10.3390/ijms24109085
- 2023. The Role of Bitter Melon in Breast and Gynecological Cancer Prevention and TherapyInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 37240264 · doi:10.3390/ijms24108918
- 2022. Bioactives of Momordica charantia as Potential Anti-Diabetic/Hypoglycemic AgentsMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 35408574 · doi:10.3390/molecules27072175
- 2019. The Role of Momordica charantia in Resisting ObesityInternational journal of environmental research and public health. PMID 31487939 · doi:10.3390/ijerph16183251
- 2019. Emerging Antitumor Activities of the Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)Current protein & peptide science. PMID 29932035 · doi:10.2174/1389203719666180622095800
- 2017. Recent Advances in Momordica charantia: Functional Components and Biological ActivitiesInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 29182587 · doi:10.3390/ijms18122555
- 2016. Promise of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) bioactives in cancer prevention and therapySeminars in cancer biology. PMID 27452666 · doi:10.1016/j.semcancer.2016.07.002
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