Purification of three orally active hypoglycemic compounds Kakara Ib,IIIa1 and IIIb1 from the unripe fruits ofMomordica charantia Linn (Bitter gourd)

Three orally active hypoglycemic compounds Kakara Ib, IIIa₁ and IIIb₁ were purified from the unripe fruits ofMomordica charantia Linn (bitter gourd). Powder of the dried fruits was extracted with benzene and the extract was purified further by sillicic acid column chromatography. They were homogeneous by HPLC. Kakara Ib (400 mg/kg), IIIa₁ (100 mg/kg) and IIIb₁ (300 mg/kg) improved glucose tolerance in subdiabetic (alloxan recovered) rabbits in acute (single dose) and subacute (10 days) studies. When compared with tolbutamide, Kakara Ib was less active, IIIa₁ was more potent and IIIb₁ was equal in activity. Two hyperglycemic compounds were also present.