Therapeutic potential of Momordica balsamina L.: A literature review

Abstract

Momordica balsamina L. is a plant known as African pumpkin or balsam apple and is abundant in arid places in the subtropical and tropical regions of Africa, serving as a source of nutrients and as a fundamental element of traditional African medicine. The present study aims to deepen the understanding of M. balsamina through the description of its therapeutic properties. Several molecules with biological activity have been isolated from this plant, including flavonoids, phenols, sterols and anthraquinones. These compounds have numerous therapeutic properties acting as antibacterial, antimalarial, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-HIV, antioxidant and hepatoprotective. Furthermore, this research explores the use of M. balsamina for therapeutic purposes in traditional medicine.

Keywords: Momordica balsamina, traditional medicine, therapeutic properties.