Alpha and beta momorcharins

Abstract

Two abortifacient proteins designated α and β momorcharins were isolated from seeds of the bitter gourd Momordica charantia by a procedure involving acetone fractionation, CM‐Sepharose chromatography and gel filtration on Sephadex G‐100. The two proteins were approximately equipotent in inducing midterm abortion in mice. Hemagglutinating (lectin) activity was lacking. Homogeneity of the preparations was attested by a single band in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis. Although the two proteins had similar molecular weights as judged by SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, they were immunochemically distinct.

Possible harms ofMomordica charantia L. in humans; a systematic review

“…The strength of this systematic review is that it was performed with seventeen included RCT’s with the effect size IRR on AE which calculated the harmful effect over time. However, RCTs will not identify any harm on fertility or reproduction problems, which may be a concern since MC has been found to cause reproduction problems and teratogenic effects in animals (Adewale et al, 2014, Dixit et al, 1978, Khan et al, 2019, Odewusi et al, 2010, Yeung et al, 2009). Also, traditional healers in India and Africa have used the seeds of MC to induce abortions (Beloin et al, 2015).…”

“…Also, in dogs fed with total fruit extract (1.75g/ day oral for 60 days) anti-fertility and anti-spermagenic effects have been found (Dixit et al, 1978). Various parts of the plant have been shown to cause malformations of embryos in pregnant animals (Uche-Nwachi & McEwen, 2010; Yeung et al, 2009, Khan et al, 2019). It is not yet clear which components may cause these effects, but it seems that specifically two enzymes, β-and α-momorcharins, may be abortifacient (Yeung et al, 2009).…”

“…Various parts of the plant have been shown to cause malformations of embryos in pregnant animals (Uche-Nwachi & McEwen, 2010; Yeung et al, 2009, Khan et al, 2019). It is not yet clear which components may cause these effects, but it seems that specifically two enzymes, β-and α-momorcharins, may be abortifacient (Yeung et al, 2009). The question arises if these animal findings can be extrapolated to humans and which plant part could cause these effects.…”

Isolation of a ribosome‐inactivating and abortifacient protein from seeds of Luff a acutangula

“…The yield of the abortifacient protein from L. acutangulu was about one-quarter of those of luffin, alpha-momorcharin, and beta-momorcharin (1,7). Abortifacient proteins were isolated from root tubers…”

Photoreactive enkephalin analogue: [D‐Ala2, p‐N3‐Phe 4‐Met 5] enkephalin

“…its photoreactive analogue were carried out as described by Yeung (15) using a membrane preparation obtained from rat brain by the method of Posner et al (16). Monoiodinated radioactive [D-Ala' , Met' J enkephalin was prepared by iodination with chloramine-T as described by Yeung (15). The concentration of the peptides were determined by amino acid analysis of the hydrolysate of a 2 0 0 4 aliquot of the peptide used in the assay.…”