Background:
Momordica balsamina L. is a monoecious climbing vine and perennial herb native to the tropical
regions of Asia, Arabia and the Caribbean, and with prominent presence in Nigeria, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland and
Southern African provinces. While evidence of its anecdotal usage as medicine exist, scientific reports complementing the
claims are still emerging or at their infancy.
Objective:
This review appraised the morphology, therapeutic and biotechnological significance of M. balsamina.
Method:
Online resources such as Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect and MeSH were utilized for literature search
and included relevant information from inception till May 2020 to streamline sought outcomes for in-depth discussion.
Results:
The data gathered and considered worthy of inclusion in this study revealed that M. balsamina is rich in phytonutrients of medicinal significance with cucurbitane-type triterpenoids, balsamin and momordins well characterized and fully elucidated. These compounds and other novel bioactive agents in M. balsamina have found remarkable pharmacological relevance and could further be harnessed for use against several debilitating human disorders.
Conclusion:
The potential applications of M. balsamina as nutraceutical and pharmaceutical agent should not be undermined. Also, with the inadequate toxicological data on this wild species, its consumption should be with caution and
translational studies that could advance scientific knowledge and aid better understanding of both its pharmacokinetics
and pharmacodynamics without sidelining its potent biotechnological applications are highly encouraged. It is hoped that
this paper will provide baseline information that could serve as a guide and inspiration for further studies on the prospects
of M. balsamina.
Epigenetic Differentiation Persists after Male Gametogenesis in Natural Populations of the Perennial Herb Helleborus foetidus (Ranunculaceae)