Isolation and Characterization of Flavonoid Compounds from Momordica charantia L. fruit and Evaluation of Gastroprotective Activity

Background: Gastric ulcers are disorders of the gastric mucosa that can be triggered bu the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Bitter melon (Momordica charantia L). contains flavonoids that may exert gastroprotective effects. Objective.This study aimed to identify flavonoid componds from the ethanol extract of bittter melon (Momordica charantia L.) and evaluate the gastroprotective activity of its ethyl acetate fraction in white rats (Rattus norvegicus). Methods : Bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) fruit was extracted using 70% ethanol, followed by phtochemical screening, fractionation, and isolation using column chromatography monitored by thin layer chromatography (TLS). Identification was performed based on chromatographic profiles and Rf values using quercetin as a reference standard.The gastroprotective activity was evaluated in 30male Wistar as a reference standard. The gastroprotective activity was evaluated in 30 male Wistar rats divided into six groups. The ethyl acetate fraction was administered at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight, with sucralfate 400 mg/kg body weight as the positive control. The observed parameters included ulcer number, lesion severity score, ulcer index, and gastric histopathological findings. Results: The ethanol extract of bitter melon showed positive results for favonoids. Column chrmatography produced 10 combined fractions, of which five fractions showed Rf values of 0,84-0,87, close to the uercetin Rf value of 0,88. The ethyl acetate fraction at doses of 50,100 and 200 mg/kg body weight prouced ulcer indices of 10,0; 7,4; and 9,8m with ulcer inhibiton percentages of 40%, 56% and 41% respectively. The 100 mg/kg body weight dose showed the most favorable gastroprotective activity based on the ulcer index and gastric histopathological findings. Conclueion: The ethanol extract of bitter melon contained flavonois, while its ethyl acetet fraction demonstrated gasroprotective activity in aspirin-induced rats. The dose of 100 mg/kg body weight showed the most optimal gastroprotective activity