In the early 1980s, Professor Pushpa Khanna of the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, successfully isolated a hypoglycemic peptide known as polypeptide-P from the fruit, seeds, and tissue of Momordica charantia, commonly known as bitter gourd. This peptide demonstrated significant blood sugar-lowering effects when administered subcutaneously to gerbils, langurs, and humans.
Polypeptide-P is composed of approximately 166 amino acid residues, resulting in a molecular weight of around 11,000. Its hypoglycemic activity has been attributed to its insulin-like properties, making it a potential plant-based alternative to animal-derived insulin for diabetes management.
Building upon this discovery, subsequent research led to the isolation of a similar protein, polypeptide-k, from the dry seeds of Momordica charantia. This protein, consisting of 18 amino acids, has been patented for its hypoglycemic properties and potential therapeutic applications in treating diabetes mellitus.
The extraction and utilization of these plant-based polypeptides offer a promising avenue for developing alternative diabetes treatments, especially considering the limitations and ethical concerns associated with animal-derived insulin.
