Experimental Methodologies for the Obtainment of Momordica charantia L. Extracts with Anthelminth Activity: A Review

Currently, the therapeutic alternatives available for the treatment of helminthiases are restricted to a low number of synthetic drugs that are classically used on a large scale, thus causing the resistance of several parasites. Seeking to optimize this problem, and often because it is the only option in low-income populations, the use of medicinal plants against parasites is the subject of several studies. Momordica charantia L. is a plant species with notorious pharmacological activities described in the literature, among which the anthelmintic activity stands out, which is mainly associated with the presence of saponins, tannins, flavonoids and alkaloids. The optimization of extractive processes through the most suitable choice of solvents and also the best methodology helps directly in obtaining rich fractions of the compounds of interest, as well as in a better yield of the extract to be used in pharmaceutical forms. Techniques that employ speed in execution, and even those that result in longer contact time between drug: solvent are reported here, as well as the use of solvents ranging from water to the most nonpolar organic compounds. The designation of a specific marker for quality control purposes is also an important factor and, as much as the plant species have a variety of constituents, the selection of a standard such as quercetin has been observed as the most common in the use of techniques such as chromatography and mass spectrometry.