Bitter gourd/Ampalaya

 Momordica charantia (Amapalaya) is a popular medicinal herb for the treatment and management of Type II diabetes. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and health-benefitting phytoconstituents. Momorcharin (also known as Charantin) and Momorcidin are the two specific compounds identified in Ampalaya that possess insulin-like properties. Other phytoconstituents include polypeptide-p, a plant insulin, charantin, vicine, glycosides, and karavilosides improve blood sugar levels through mechanisms such as increasing glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis in the liver, muscles, and adipose tissues. Additionally, they improve insulin release from pancreatic beta cells, and repair or promote new growth of insulin-secreting beta cells. A polypeptide from the fruits and seeds called p-Insulin rapidly decreased and normalized the blood sugar level in animal models. Studies show that Ampalaya has comparable antihyperglycemic activity to oral hypoglycemic agents such as sulfonylureas (e.g. Glibenclamide).