Asian Journal of Research in Botany

Aims: To conduct a head-to-head comparative analysis of the phytochemical profiles and functional bioactivities, specifically antioxidant and DNA protective potential, of methanolic extracts from Momordica charantia (Karela) and the underutilized Momordica dioica (Kakora) to validate their use as natural chemopreventive agents.

Study Design:  Comparative in vitro phytochemical and bioactivity analysis.

Place and Duration of Study: Institute of Innovative Learning and Research Academy, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India, between October 2025 and November 2025.

Methodology: Methanolic extracts of M. charantia and M. dioica were prepared. Qualitative screening was performed for major secondary metabolites (e.g., flavonoids, terpenoids). Quantitative analyses were conducted for Total Phenolic Content (TPC), Total Flavonoid Content (TFC), Total Alkaloid Content (TAC), Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP). Functional bioactivity was assessed using anti-hemolytic activity and a DNA protection assay against Fenton’s reagent-induced oxidative stress.

Results: Qualitative screening confirmed the presence of major secondary metabolites in both extracts. Quantitative analysis revealed distinct chemotypes: Karela extract showed a significantly higher Total Flavonoid Content (463.33 ± 57.74 mg QE/g) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (1196.0 ± 17.2 mg AAE/g). Conversely, Kakora extract demonstrated significantly superior Total Phenolic Content (0.739 ± 0.006 mg GAE/g), Total Alkaloid Content, and Total Antioxidant Capacity. Both extracts conferred cellular protection in the anti-hemolytic assay. Crucially, in the DNA protection assay, Kakora provided mild but detectable preservation of genomic integrity, while Karela offered negligible protection against Fenton’s reagent-induced damage.

Conclusion: The superior DNA protective efficacy of M. dioica directly correlates with a higher potential for cancer chemoprevention due to its enhanced ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species and prevent DNA strand breaks. This finding validates M. dioica as a potent resource warranting urgent research into the isolation and structural elucidation of its specific active compounds.