Momordicin I, or 3,7,23-trihydroxycucurbitan-5,24-dien-19-al, is a chemical compound found in the leaves of the bitter melon vine (Momordica charantia), possibly responsible for its reputed medicinal properties.
The compound was isolated and characterized in 1984 by M. Yasuda and others [1] It is a white crystalline solid with formula C 30H 48O 4, that melts at 125–128 °C.[2]
The compound can be extracted from ground dry leaves by dichloromethane. It is insoluble in water and soluble in methanol.[2]
^M. Yasuda, M. Iwamoto, H. Okabe, and T. Yamauchi (1984), A New Cucurbitane Triterpenoid From Momordica charantia, Chem. Pharm. Bull. volume 32, issue 6, pages 2044-2049
^H. Okabe, Y. Miyahara, and T. Yamauci (1982), Studies on the Constituents of Momordica charantia L. Chem. Pharm. Bull., volume 30, issue 12, pages 4334-4340