Abstract

The seeds of Momordica charantia were extracted with hexane, ethyl acetate and 95% ethanol successively by percolation and concentrated at 37°C. Fractions 19-21 and 247 gave two compounds. However, only one has been elucidated to be 4a-phorbol-12, 13-didecanoate using the state- of –art- tools of spectrometry. The phytochemical screening of seeds of M. charantia showed the presence of flavonoids, glycosides, sterols, fat and oil in hexane, ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts. Anthraquinone is only present in hexane and ethyl acetate while alkaloid is in hexane and ethanol. And also phyto-medicine should be integrated into the health system of Nigeria and developed in such a way to bring harmony between the traditional and modern system of health care with minimum threat to each other.

Key words: Momordica charantia, Cucurbitaceae, gas chromatography, thin layer chromatography, phytochemicals.