Momordin (saponin)
Encyclopedia
Momordin is one of several saponin
s derived from oleanolic acid
, a triterpenoid
. These chemical compound
s are found in some plants of the Momordica
genus, which includes the bitter melon
(M. charantia) and the balsam apple
(M. balsamina), as well as in other Asian herbal medicine plants such as Kochia scoparia
and Ampelopsis radix.
Momordins include:
Saponin
Saponins are a class of chemical compounds, one of many secondary metabolites found in natural sources, with saponins found in particular abundance in various plant species...
s derived from oleanolic acid
Oleanolic acid
Oleanolic acid or oleanic acid is a naturally occurring triterpenoid, widely distributed in food and medicinal plants, related to betulinic acid. It can be found in Phytolacca americana , and Syzygium spp, garlic, etc...
, a triterpenoid
Triterpenoid
Triterpenoids are terpenoid derviatives of triterpene molecules.They may have useful anti-cancer properties.Notable examples*Betulinic acid, possible anti-cancer drug*Bardoxolone methyl, inflammation modulator*Triterpenoid saponins...
. These chemical compound
Chemical compound
A chemical compound is a pure chemical substance consisting of two or more different chemical elements that can be separated into simpler substances by chemical reactions. Chemical compounds have a unique and defined chemical structure; they consist of a fixed ratio of atoms that are held together...
s are found in some plants of the Momordica
Momordica
Momordica is a genus of about 60 species of annual or perennial climbers herbaceous or rarely small shrubs belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae, natives of tropical and subtropical Africa and Asia and Australia...
genus, which includes the bitter melon
Bitter melon
Momordica charantia, called bitter melon or bitter gourd in English, is a tropical and subtropical vine of the family Cucurbitaceae, widely grown in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean for its edible fruit, which is among the most bitter of all fruits...
(M. charantia) and the balsam apple
Balsam apple
Balsam apple may refer to:* Clusia major, a tree species found in America* Momordica balsamina, a vine species found in Africa* Bitter melon , a vine grown for its bitter and edible fruit...
(M. balsamina), as well as in other Asian herbal medicine plants such as Kochia scoparia
Kochia scoparia
Bassia scoparia is a shrub which is native to Eurasia. It has introduced populations in many parts of North America, where it is found in grassland, prairie, and desert shrub ecosystems...
and Ampelopsis radix.
Momordins include:
- Momordin I, oleanolic acid 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl(1→3)-β-D-glucuronopyranoside. A white powder that decomposes at 235-240 °C. Found in the root of Momordica cochinchinensis were it constitutes 10% of the dried methanolMethanolMethanol, also known as methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha or wood spirits, is a chemical with the formula CH3OH . It is the simplest alcohol, and is a light, volatile, colorless, flammable liquid with a distinctive odor very similar to, but slightly sweeter than, ethanol...
extract. - Momordin Ia, from M. cochinchinensis.
- Momordin Ib, from M. cochinchinensis.
- Momordin Ic or (3β)-17-carboxy-28-norolean-12-en-3-yl 3'-O-(β-D-xylopyranosyl)-β-D-glucuronide , CAS number 96990-18-0. It is obtained as colorless fine crystals that decompose at 240°C. It inhibits gastric emptying in mice.
- Momordin Id, from M. cochinchinensis.
- Momordin Ie, CAS 96158-13-3.
- Momordin II, the 28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside of momordin I. Colorless needles, soluble in methanolMethanolMethanol, also known as methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha or wood spirits, is a chemical with the formula CH3OH . It is the simplest alcohol, and is a light, volatile, colorless, flammable liquid with a distinctive odor very similar to, but slightly sweeter than, ethanol...
, that melt at 240-245°C. Also from M. cochinchinensis; identical to hemsloside Ma 1 from Hemsleya macrosperma and H. chinensis - Momordin IIa, from M. cochinchinensis.
- Momordin IIb, from M. cochinchinensis.
- Momordin IIc, either the same as oleanic acid or (quinoside D)[β-D-glucopyranosyl 3-O-[β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid)] oleanolate]
- Momordin IId, from M. cochinchinensis.
- Momordin IIe, CAS 96158-12-2.
- Momordin III, 3β-hydroxy-11α, 12α-epoxy-olean-28,13-olide 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl(1→3)-β-D-glucuronopyranoside. Also from M. cochinchinensis.
See also
- Momordin (protein)Momordin (protein)Momordin or α-momorcharin is one of several related proteins isolated from several plants of the Momordica genus, which includes the bitter melon and the balsam apple ....
, unrelated enzymes (proteins) from Momordica and other plants.