Momordin is one of several

saponin Saponins (Latin "sapon", soap + "-in", one of), also selectively referred to as triterpene glycosides, are bitter-tasting usually toxic plant-derived organic chemicals that have a foamy quality when agitated in water. They are widely distributed ...

s derived from oleanolic acid, a

triterpenoid Triterpenes are a class of chemical compounds composed of three terpene units with the molecular formula C30H48; they may also be thought of as consisting of six isoprene units. Animals, plants and fungi all produce triterpenes, including squale ...

. These

chemical compound A chemical compound is a chemical substance composed of many identical molecules (or molecular entities) containing atoms from more than one chemical element held together by chemical bonds. A molecule consisting of atoms of only one element ...

s are found in some plants of the genus '' Momordica'', which includes the

bitter melon ''Momordica charantia'' (commonly called bitter melon; Goya; bitter apple; bitter gourd; bitter squash; balsam-pear; with many more names listed below) is a tropical and subtropical vine of the family Cucurbitaceae, widely grown in Asia, Afri ...

(''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: * 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 GAC or Gac may refer to: Companies and organisations * GAC Group, a Chinese automotive company based in Guangzhou, Guangdong * GAC Ireland, an Irish bus manufacturer established with Bombardier (1980–1986) * Games Administration Committee, a ...

'' where it constitutes 10% of the dried

methanol Methanol (also called methyl alcohol and wood spirit, amongst other names) is an organic chemical and the simplest aliphatic alcohol, with the formula C H3 O H (a methyl group linked to a hydroxyl group, often abbreviated as MeOH). It is a ...

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 Ie catalog entry
at Trading Chem. Accessed 2011-01-01. * Momordin II, the 28-''O''-β-D-

glucopyranoside A glucoside is a glycoside that is derived from glucose. Glucosides are common in plants, but rare in animals. Glucose is produced when a glucoside is Hydrolysis, hydrolysed by purely chemical means, or decomposed by fermentation (biochemistry), ...

of momordin I. Colorless needles, soluble in

, that melt at 240−245 °C. Also from ''M. cochinchinensis''; identical to hemsloside Ma 1 from ''

Hemsleya macrosperma ''Hemsleya'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. Its native range is Eastern Himalayas to southern China and Papuasia. It is native to the countries of Assam (in India), Bismarck Archipelago (island group, part ...

'' and '' H. chinensis'' * Momordin IIa, from ''M. cochinchinensis''. * Momordin IIb, from ''M. cochinchinensis''. * Momordin IIc, either the same as oleanic acidMomordin IIc catalog entry
from NextBio. Accessed on 2011-01-01. or (quinoside D) �-D-glucopyranosyl 3-''O''- �-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-''O''-(β-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid)oleanolate'' * Momordin IId, from ''M. cochinchinensis''. * Momordin IIe, CAS 96158-12-2.Momordin IIe catalog page
at Look Chemical. Accessed on 2011-01-01. * 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''.

References

Steroidal glycosides Saponins {{organic-compound-stub

See also

References