Abstract
Momordica charantia L., commonly known as bitter melon/gourd, is a
slender tendril-climbing annual vine of the family Cucurbitaceae. Bitter melon grows
in tropical areas, including parts of the Amazon, Asia, and the Caribbean, and is
cultivated throughout South America. It is a common food of the tropics used in the
treatment of many diseases and is also known for its potent hypoglycemic actions. A
steroidal sapogenins known as charantin, insulin-like peptides, and alkaloids have been
reported to have hypoglycemic or other actions of potential benefit in diabetes mellitus.
The present chapter gives a comprehensive review of the tissue culture of Momordica
charantia. There are two ways of regeneration, direct organogenesis and indirect
organogenesis; both take place through the production of adventitious buds and somatic
embryogenesis. The present review gives a complete in vitro regeneration protocol of
M. charantia.