1
|
Kakuturu A, Choi H, Noe LG, Scherer BN, Sharma B, Khambu B, Bhetwal BP. Bitter melon extract suppresses metastatic breast cancer cells (MCF-7 cells) growth possibly by hindering glucose uptake. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2023; 2023:10.17912/micropub.biology.000961. [PMID: 37736248 PMCID: PMC10509689 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among women, however the complete cure for metastatic breast cancer is lacking due to poor prognosis. There has been an increasing trend of dietary modifications including consumption of natural food for the prevention of cancer. One of the popular natural foods is bitter melon. Bitter melon grows in tropical and subtropical areas. Some of the beneficial effects of bitter melon towards disease including cancer have been reported at the whole body/organismal level. However, specific cellular mechanisms by which bitter melon exerts beneficial effects in breast cancer are lacking. In this study, we used a human metastatic breast cancer cell line, MCF-7 cell, to study if bitter melon alters glucose clearance from the culture medium. We co-cultured MCF-7 cells with bitter melon extract in the presence and absence of supplemented insulin and subsequently measured MCF-7 cells viability. In this study, we report a noble finding that bitter melon extract exerts cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 cells possibly via inhibition of glucose uptake. Our findings show that insulin rescues MCF-7 cells from the effects of bitter melon extract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abhinav Kakuturu
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Marian University - Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| | - Heeyun Choi
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Marian University - Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| | - Leah G Noe
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Marian University - Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| | - Brianna N Scherer
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Marian University - Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| | - Bikram Sharma
- Department of Biology, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, United States
| | - Bilon Khambu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine , Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
| | - Bhupal P Bhetwal
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Marian University - Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Niu Y, Zhang T, Chen M, Chen G, Liu Z, Yu R, Han X, Chen K, Huang A, Chen C, Yang Y. Analysis of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome of the Bitter Gourd ( Momordica charantia). PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:1686. [PMID: 37111909 PMCID: PMC10143269 DOI: 10.3390/plants12081686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is a significant vegetable. Although it has a special bitter taste, it is still popular with the public. The industrialization of bitter gourd could be hampered by a lack of genetic resources. The bitter gourd's mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes have not been extensively studied. In the present study, the mitochondrial genome of bitter gourd was sequenced and assembled, and its substructure was investigated. The mitochondrial genome of bitter gourd is 331,440 bp with 24 unique core genes, 16 variable genes, 3 rRNAs, and 23 tRNAs. We identified 134 SSRs and 15 tandem repeats in the entire mitochondrial genome of bitter gourd. Moreover, 402 pairs of repeats with a length greater than or equal to 30 were observed in total. The longest palindromic repeat was 523 bp, and the longest forward repeat was 342 bp. We found 20 homologous DNA fragments in bitter gourd, and the summary insert length was 19,427 bp, accounting for 5.86% of the mitochondrial genome. We predicted a total of 447 potential RNA editing sites in 39 unique PCGs and also discovered that the ccmFN gene has been edited the most often, at 38 times. This study provides a basis for a better understanding and analysis of differences in the evolution and inheritance patterns of cucurbit mitochondrial genomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Niu
- Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Danzhou 571737, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Muxi Chen
- Guangdong Helinong Biological Seeds Co., Ltd., Shantou 515800, China
- Guangdong Helinong Agricultural Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shantou 515800, China
| | - Guoju Chen
- College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Zhaohua Liu
- Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Danzhou 571737, China
| | - Renbo Yu
- Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Danzhou 571737, China
| | - Xu Han
- Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Danzhou 571737, China
| | - Kunhao Chen
- Guangdong Helinong Biological Seeds Co., Ltd., Shantou 515800, China
- Guangdong Helinong Agricultural Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shantou 515800, China
| | - Aizheng Huang
- Institute of Agricultural Science Research of Jiangmen, Jiangmen 529060, China
| | - Changming Chen
- College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Danzhou 571737, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Biosynthesis and Transfer of α-Elostearic Acid In Vivo in Momordica charantia L. Developing Seeds and In Vitro in Microsomal Fractions of These Seeds. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24010848. [PMID: 36614287 PMCID: PMC9821084 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The research concerned the efficiency of biosynthesis and transfer to triacylglycerols (TAG) of α-eleostearic acid (αESA). The experiments were carried out on developing seeds of Momordica charantia L. and on microsomal fractions obtained from these seeds. The seeds from in vivo conditions were collected 20, 23, 26 and 33 days after pollination (DAP) and used for lipid extraction and further analyses. Microsomal fractions were prepared from seeds at 26 DAP. The most intensive lipid accumulation occurred between 20 and 26 DAP, but continued up to 33 DAP. The most abundant lipid fraction was TAG; up to 98% of total acyl lipids at 33 DAP. The synthesised in vivo αESA was very efficiently transferred to TAG and constituted about 60% of its total fatty acids in 33 DAP. The content of αESA in polar lipids (containing, among others, phosphatidylcholine-the place of αESA biosynthesis) was very low. The biosynthesis of αESA in vitro (assays with microsomal fractions and [14C]-labelled substrates) in the presence of NADPH was fairly intensive (about 60% of the corresponding intensity in vivo) when linolenic acid was used as a substrate. Contrary to the in vivo condition, most of the synthesised in vitro αESA remained in phosphatidylcholine.
Collapse
|
4
|
Liu Z, Gong J, Huang W, Lu F, Dong H. The Effect of Momordica charantia in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus: A Review. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2021; 2021:3796265. [PMID: 33510802 PMCID: PMC7826218 DOI: 10.1155/2021/3796265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, many studies of Momordica charantia (MC) in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications have been reported. This article reviewed the effect and mechanism of MC against diabetes, including the results from in vitro and in vivo experiments and clinical trials. The common side effects of MC were also summarized. We hope that it might open up new ideas for further mechanism exploration and clinical application as well as provide a scientific theoretical basis for the development of drugs or foods derived from MC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Liu
- Grade 2016 of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Clinical Medicine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Gong
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenya Huang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fuer Lu
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Dong
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mohammadmoradi S, Howatt DA, Lu HS, Daugherty A, Saha SP. Bitter Melon ( Momordica charantia L.) Supplementation Has No Effect on Hypercholesterolemia and Atherosclerosis in Mice. Curr Dev Nutr 2020; 4:nzaa148. [PMID: 33103042 PMCID: PMC7568838 DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzaa148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bitter melon (BM; Momordica charantia L.) has been reported to ameliorate diet-induced obesity and dyslipidemia. However, the effects of BM on atherosclerosis have not been determined. This study investigated the effects of BM diet-induced atherosclerosis in LDL receptor-deficient mice. A total of 30 female mice (aged 6-8 wk) were fed a saturated fat-enriched diet. In group 1 (n = 10), mice were fed this diet alone, whereas mice in groups 2 and 3 (n = 10/group) were fed the diet supplemented with BM either 0.1% or 1% by weight. After 12 wk, body weight, plasma cholesterol, and atherosclerotic plaque areas were analyzed. No significant differences in body weight and plasma cholesterol concentrations were observed among the groups. Also, BM supplementation did not affect atherosclerosis development. In conclusion, dietary BM has no effect on plasma cholesterol concentration and atherogenesis in hypercholesterolemic mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shayan Mohammadmoradi
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Deborah A Howatt
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Hong S Lu
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Alan Daugherty
- Saha Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Sibu P Saha
- Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Njume C, McAinch AJ, Donkor O. Proximate and phenolic composition of selected native Australian food plants. Int J Food Sci Technol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/ijfs.14400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Collise Njume
- Institute of Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities Victoria University Werribee CampusPO Box 14428 Melbourne Vic. 8001 Australia
| | - Andrew J. McAinch
- Institute for Health and Sport Victoria University PO Box 14428 Melbourne Vic. 8001 Australia
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS) College of Health and Biomedicine Victoria University St Albans campus PO Box 14428 Melbourne Vic. 8001 Australia
| | - Osaana Donkor
- Institute of Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities Victoria University Werribee CampusPO Box 14428 Melbourne Vic. 8001 Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
In vitro and in silico elucidation of antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities of bioactive compounds from Momordica charantia L. Bioorg Med Chem 2019; 27:3097-3109. [PMID: 31196754 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.05.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) has been used to manage diabetes and related conditions in various parts of the world. In the present study, ten compounds were isolated from acetone and methanol extracts of bitter melon. The chemical structures of compounds were unambiguously elucidated by 1D, 2D NMR, and high-resolution mass spectra. Identified compounds 1-7 exhibited significant inhibition of α-amylase and moderate inhibition of α-glucosidase activities. Momordicoside G and gentisic acid 5-O-β-d-xyloside showed the highest inhibition of α-amylase (70.5%), and α-glucosidase (56.4%), respectively. Furthermore, molecular docking studies of isolated compounds 1-7 were able to bind to the active sites of both enzymes. Additionally, the isolated compounds 1-7 significantly attenuated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation, downregulating the expression of pro-inflammatory markers NF-κB, INOS, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and Cox-2 in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. One phenolic derivative, gentisic acid 5-O-β-d-xyloside, was isolated and identified for the first time from bitter melon, and significantly suppressed the expression of Cox-2 and IL-6 compared to the LPS-treated group. α-Amylase and α-glucosidase are targets of anti-diabetes drugs, our findings suggest that compounds purified from bitter melon may have potential to use as functional food ingredients for the prevention of type 2 diabetes and related inflammatory conditions.
Collapse
|
8
|
Perez JL, Jayaprakasha GK, Patil BS. Metabolite profiling and in vitro biological activities of two commercial bitter melon (Momordica charantia Linn.) cultivars. Food Chem 2019; 288:178-186. [PMID: 30902279 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.02.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The current study was designed to characterize the metabolite profile and bioactivity of two commercial bitter melon (Momordica charantia Linn.) genotypes. UPLC-high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) was used to identify 15 phenolic and 46 triterpenoids in various bitter melon extracts. Total phenolic levels were the highest (57.28 ± 1.02) in methanolic extract of the inner tissue of Indian Green cultivar, which also correlated to the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (30.48 ± 2.49 ascorbic acid equivalents (mg of AAE)/g of FD). In addition, highest levels of total saponins were observed in chloroform extract of the Chinese bitter melon pericarp (75.73 mg ± 4.67 diosgenin equivalents (DE)/g of FD). Differential inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity was observed in response to polarity of extract, cultivar and tissue type. These results suggest that consumption of whole bitter melon may have potential health benefits to manage diabetes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose Luis Perez
- Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77845-2119, United States
| | - G K Jayaprakasha
- Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77845-2119, United States.
| | - Bhimanagouda S Patil
- Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77845-2119, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Shivanagoudra SR, Perera WH, Perez JL, Athrey G, Sun Y, Jayaprakasha GK, Patil BS. Cucurbitane-type compounds from Momordica charantia: Isolation, in vitro antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory activities and in silico modeling approaches. Bioorg Chem 2019; 87:31-42. [PMID: 30856374 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2019.02.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Momordica charantia L., commonly known as bitter melon, belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. Various in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that extracts of bitter melons have anti-diabetic properties. However, very little is known about the specific purified compounds responsible for these antidiabetic properties. In the present study, 3β,7β,25-trihydroxycucurbita-5,23(E)-dien-19-al, charantal, charantoside XI, and 25ξ-isopropenylchole-5, 6-ene-3-O-d-glucopyranoside were isolated from bitter melon fruit. The structures of the purified compounds were elucidated by HR-ESIMS, 1D, and 2D NMR experiments. All compounds exhibited significant inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase comparable to acarbose. Molecular docking studies demonstrated that purified compounds were able to bind to the active sites of proteins. Additionally, the purified compounds showed significant anti-inflammatory activity, downregulating the expression of NF-κB, iNOS, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and Cox-2 in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Our findings suggest that the purified compounds have potential anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory activities and therefore hold promise for the development of plant-based management for diabetic and inflammatory conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siddanagouda R Shivanagoudra
- Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, 1500 Research Parkway, Suite A120, College Station, TX 77845, United States
| | - Wilmer H Perera
- Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, 1500 Research Parkway, Suite A120, College Station, TX 77845, United States
| | - Jose L Perez
- Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, 1500 Research Parkway, Suite A120, College Station, TX 77845, United States
| | - Giridhar Athrey
- Department of Poultry Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77845, United States
| | - Yuxiang Sun
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States
| | - G K Jayaprakasha
- Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, 1500 Research Parkway, Suite A120, College Station, TX 77845, United States.
| | - Bhimanagouda S Patil
- Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University, 1500 Research Parkway, Suite A120, College Station, TX 77845, United States.
| |
Collapse
|