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Kandhari K, Paudel S, Raina K, Agarwal C, Kant R, Wempe MF, O’Bryant C, Agarwal R. Comparative Pre-clinical Efficacy of Chinese and Indian Cultivars of Bitter Melon ( Momordica charantia) against Pancreatic Cancer. J Cancer Prev 2021; 26:266-276. [PMID: 35047453 PMCID: PMC8749318 DOI: 10.15430/jcp.2021.26.4.266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the high rates of incidence and mortality associated with pancreatic cancer (PanC), there is a need to develop alternative strategies to target PanC. Recent studies have demonstrated that fruits of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) exhibit strong anticancer efficacy against PanC. However, the comparative effects of different bitter melon varieties have not been investigated. This has important implications, given that several bitter melon cultivars are geographically available but their differential effects are not known; and that on a global level, individuals could consume different bitter melon varieties sourced from different cultivars for anti-PanC benefits. Considering these shortcomings, in the present study, comparative pre-clinical anti-PanC studies have been conducted using lyophilized-juice and aqueous-methanolic extracts of the two most widely consumed but geographically diverse bitter melon varieties (Chinese [bitter melon juice; BMJ] and Indian [bitter melon extract; BME] variants). We observed that both BMJ and BME possess comparable efficacy against PanC growth and progression; specifically, these preparations have the potential to (a) inhibit PanC cell proliferation and induce cell death; (b) suppress PanC tumor growth, proliferation, and induce apoptosis; (c) restrict capillary tube formation by human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and decrease angiogenesis in PanC tumor xenografts. Thus, given the comparable pre-clinical anti-PanC efficacy of bitter melon cultivars, the geographical non-availability of a certain cultivar should not be a limiting factor in selecting a variant for moving forward for future clinical use/clinical trials either as a preventive or a therapeutic alternative for targeting PanC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kushal Kandhari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sandeep Paudel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Komal Raina
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA
| | - Chapla Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Rama Kant
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Michael F. Wempe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Cindy O’Bryant
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Rajesh Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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Momordica charantia L. for hyperlipidaemia: A randomised controlled assessment of the Ghanaian herbal medicinal product MCP-1. J Herb Med 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hermed.2021.100453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Cortez-Navarrete M, Méndez-Del Villar M, Ramos-González EJ, Pérez-Rubio KG. Momordica Charantia: A Review of Its Effects on Metabolic Diseases and Mechanisms of Action. J Med Food 2021; 24:1017-1027. [PMID: 33733863 DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2020.0206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The global rise in the prevalence of metabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia is a serious public health issue. The search for safe and effective complementary and alternative therapies to treat metabolic disorders is a key field of research. Momordica charantia (MC) is a tropical and subtropical vine of the Cucurbitaceae family used as a medicinal plant since ancient times. Although MC has been widely studied for its hypoglycemic potential, hypolipidemic and antiobesity effects have also been reported in preclinical studies and clinical trials. This study aims to review the metabolic effects of MC reported in clinical trials as well as its mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisol Cortez-Navarrete
- Instituto de Terapéutica Experimental y Clínica, Departamento de Fisiología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México
| | - Miriam Méndez-Del Villar
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Centro Universitario de Tonalá, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Tonalá, Jalisco, México
| | - Elsy Janeth Ramos-González
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica de Zacatecas, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Zacatecas, Zacatecas, México
| | - Karina G Pérez-Rubio
- Instituto de Terapéutica Experimental y Clínica, Departamento de Fisiología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México
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The triterpenoids of the bitter gourd (Momordica Charantia) and their pharmacological activities: A review. J Food Compost Anal 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2020.103726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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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.
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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
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Nerurkar PV, Orias D, Soares N, Kumar M, Nerurkar VR. Momordica charantia (bitter melon) modulates adipose tissue inflammasome gene expression and adipose-gut inflammatory cross talk in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. J Nutr Biochem 2019; 68:16-32. [PMID: 31005847 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Systemic and tissue-specific inflammation has a profound influence on regulation of metabolism, and therefore, strategies to reduce inflammation are of special interest in prevention and treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Antiobesity and antidiabetic properties of Momordica charantia (bitter melon, BM) have been linked to its protective effects on inflammation and gut microbial dysbiosis. We investigated the mechanisms by which freeze-dried BM juice reduces adipose inflammation in mice fed a 60% high-fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks. Although earlier studies indicated that BM inhibited recruitment of macrophages (Mφ) infiltration in adipose tissue of rodents and reduced NF-kB and IL-1β secretions, the mechanisms remain unknown. We demonstrate that freeze-dried BM juice inhibits recruitment of Mφ into adipose tissue and its polarization to inflammatory phenotype possibly due to reduction of sphingokinase 1 (SPK1) mRNA in HFD-fed mice. Furthermore, reduction of IL-1β secretion by freeze-dried BM juice in the adipose tissue of HFD-fed mice is correlated to alleviation of NLRP3 inflammasome components and their downstream signaling targets. We confirm previous observations that BM inhibited inflammation of colon and gut microbial dysbiosis in HFD-fed mice, which in part may be associated with the observed anti-inflammatory effects in adipose tissue if HFD-fed mice. Overall, functional foods such as BM may offer potential dietary interventions that may impact sterile inflammatory diseases such as obesity and T2D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratibha V Nerurkar
- Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders and Alternative Medicine, Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering (MBBE), College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
| | - Daniella Orias
- Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders and Alternative Medicine, Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering (MBBE), College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Natasha Soares
- Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders and Alternative Medicine, Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering (MBBE), College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Mukesh Kumar
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Vivek R Nerurkar
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology; Pacific Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
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Saeed F, Afzaal M, Niaz B, Arshad MU, Tufail T, Hussain MB, Javed A. Bitter melon (Momordica charantia): a natural healthy vegetable. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD PROPERTIES 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/10942912.2018.1446023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Farhan Saeed
- Institute of Home and Food Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Afzaal
- Institute of Home and Food Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Bushra Niaz
- Institute of Home and Food Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Umair Arshad
- Institute of Home and Food Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Tabussam Tufail
- Institute of Home and Food Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Bilal Hussain
- Institute of Home and Food Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Ahsan Javed
- Institute of Home and Food Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan
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Cortez-Navarrete M, Martínez-Abundis E, Pérez-Rubio KG, González-Ortiz M, Méndez-del Villar M. Momordica charantia Administration Improves Insulin Secretion in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. J Med Food 2018; 21:672-677. [DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2017.0114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marisol Cortez-Navarrete
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Therapeutics, Department of Physiology, Health Science University Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Esperanza Martínez-Abundis
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Therapeutics, Department of Physiology, Health Science University Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Karina G. Pérez-Rubio
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Therapeutics, Department of Physiology, Health Science University Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Manuel González-Ortiz
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Therapeutics, Department of Physiology, Health Science University Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Miriam Méndez-del Villar
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Therapeutics, Department of Physiology, Health Science University Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
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Bai J, Zhu Y, Dong Y. Obese rats supplemented with bitter melon display marked shifts in the expression of genes controlling inflammatory response and lipid metabolism by RNA-Seq analysis of colonic mucosa. Genes Genomics 2018; 40:561-567. [PMID: 29892950 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-017-0642-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is known to induce pathological changes in the gut and diets rich in complex carbohydrates that resist digestion in the small bowel can alter large bowel ecology. The purposes of this study were to identify the effects of bitter melon powder (BMP) on the global gene expression pattern in the colon mucosa of obese rats. Obese rats were fed a high-fat diet and treated without or with BMP for 8 weeks. Genome-wide expression profiles of the colon mucosa were determined by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis at the end of experiment. A total of 87 genes were identified as differentially expressed (DE) between these two groups (fold change > 1.2). These results were further validated by quantitative RT-PCR, confirming the high reliability of the RNA-Seq. Interestingly, DE genes implicated in inflammation and lipid metabolism were found to be downregulated by BMP in the colon. Network between genes and the top 15 KEGG pathways showed that PRKCβ (protein kinase C beta) and Pla2g2a (phospholipase A2 group IIA) strongly interacted with surrounding pathways and genes. Results revealed that BMP supplement could remodel key colon functions by altering transcriptomic profile in obese rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Bai
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Ying Dong
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China.
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Nishizono S, Nomura A, Hidaka M, Senju K, Gamarallage SV, Fukuda N, Yukizaki C, Uryu K. Effects of Bitter Melon (<i>Momordica charantia</i>) Juice Powder on Lipid Metabolism in Rats. J JPN SOC FOOD SCI 2018. [DOI: 10.3136/nskkk.65.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kaori Senju
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki
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Wang S, Li Z, Yang G, Ho CT, Li S. Momordica charantia: a popular health-promoting vegetable with multifunctionality. Food Funct 2017; 8:1749-1762. [PMID: 28474032 DOI: 10.1039/c6fo01812b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Products derived from edible medicinal plants have been used for centuries to prevent, treat, and even cure multiple diseases. Momordica charantia L., widely cultivated around the world, is a typical one bred for vegetables and medicinal usage. All parts of M. charantia possess important medicinal properties, including antidiabetic, anticancer, hypotensive, anti-obesity, antimicrobial, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory, anthelmintic, neuro-protective, as well as hepato-protective properties both in vitro and in vivo. This review summarizes the active components and medicinal properties of M. charantia, especially the activities and mechanisms of its anti-diabetic and anti-cancer properties. The anti-diabetic properties involve inhibiting intestinal α-glucosidase and glucose transport, protecting islet β-cells, enhancing insulin secretion, increasing hepatic glucose disposal, decreasing gluconeogenesis, and even ameliorating insulin resistance. Moreover, the expressions of PPARs could also be activated and up-regulated. Meanwhile, its anticancer properties are mostly due to apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and expression of serum factors associated with immunity. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of M. charantia and its benefits for development as a functional food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuzhen Wang
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for the Characteristic Resources Exploitation of Dabie Mountains, Hubei Key Laboratory of Economic Forest Germplasm Improvement and Resources Comprehensive Utilization, College of Life Science, Huanggang Normal University, Hubei Province, China.
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Bian HX, Wu ZY, Bao B, Cai J, Wang X, Jiang Y, Liu J, Qu W. 1H NMR-based metabolic study reveals the improvements of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) on energy metabolism in diet-induced obese mouse. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2016; 54:3103-3112. [PMID: 27538854 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2016.1211713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Obesity can be ameliorated by some natural products such as polyphenol, flavones and saponin. As a typical medicinal plant, Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) (bitter melon, BM) contains these natural chemicals and reduces diet-induced obesity in mice. OBJECTIVE This study evaluates the metabolic effects of dietary BM supplement, investigates a global metabolic profile and determines associated perturbations in metabolic pathways. MATERIALS AND METHODS Male C57BL/6 mice were fed with low-fat diet (LFD), high-fat diet (HFD) and HFD supplemented with 5% BM based on 37.6 g/kg body weight in average for 12 weeks, respectively. Then energy metabolism was quantified using PhenoMaster/LabMaster. The spectroscopy of urine was acquired by nuclear magnetic resonance and latent biomarkers were identified. Pattern recognition analysis was used to discriminate associated metabolic profiles. RESULTS Dietary BM supplement reduced body weight gain (-0.15-fold, p < 0.01) and blood glucose levels (-0.19-fold, p < 0.01) in HFD-fed mice. Meanwhile, the levels of energy metabolism were enhanced (0.08-0.11-fold, p < 0.01). According to pattern recognition analysis, dietary BM supplement changed metabolic profiles in HFD-fed mice and the modified profiles were similar to those in LFD-fed mice. Finally, the mapping of metabolic pathways showed that dietary BM supplement primarily affected glucose metabolism-associated pathways. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The results indicated that BM improves weight loss in diet-induced obesity and elevate energy expenditure in HFD-fed mice. The pattern recognition with metabolic study may be used as a noninvasive detection method to assess the effects of dietary BM supplement on mouse energy metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Xi Bian
- a School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering , Hefei University of Technology , Hefei , China
| | - Ze-Yu Wu
- b Engineering Research Center of Bio-Process, Ministry of Education , Hefei University of Technology , Hefei , China
| | - Bin Bao
- a School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering , Hefei University of Technology , Hefei , China
| | - Jing Cai
- a School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering , Hefei University of Technology , Hefei , China
| | - Xin Wang
- a School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering , Hefei University of Technology , Hefei , China
| | - Ying Jiang
- a School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering , Hefei University of Technology , Hefei , China
| | - Jian Liu
- a School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering , Hefei University of Technology , Hefei , China
| | - Wei Qu
- a School of Biotechnology and Food Engineering , Hefei University of Technology , Hefei , China
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Suthar AC, Pai VG, Kadam Y, Tongaonkar A, Kale S, Deshpande AB, Kolke S, Tanna S, Deshpande SV, Chawla P, Biswas D, Sharma S. Efficacy and Safety of PDM011011 Capsules as Compared to Metformin in Subjects with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Open-Label, Randomized, Active-Controlled, Multicentric, Phase III Study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.4236/jdm.2016.61005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Tan SP, Kha TC, Parks SE, Roach PD. Bitter melon (Momordica charantiaL.) bioactive composition and health benefits: A review. FOOD REVIEWS INTERNATIONAL 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/87559129.2015.1057843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Abstract
Food as medicine is as old as the beginning of time but somehow as we moved into the modern era, foods were no longer looked upon as healing elements until the resurgence in natural healing took hold several decades ago. Here we examine three foods that suggest potential medicinal properties validated by immerging research.
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Chang CI, Chou CH, Liao MH, Chen TM, Cheng CH, Anggriani R, Tsai CP, Tseng HI, Cheng HL. Bitter melon triterpenes work as insulin sensitizers and insulin substitutes in insulin-resistant cells. J Funct Foods 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2014.12.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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Beneficial role of bitter melon supplementation in obesity and related complications in metabolic syndrome. J Lipids 2015; 2015:496169. [PMID: 25650336 PMCID: PMC4306384 DOI: 10.1155/2015/496169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/05/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome are becoming epidemic both in developed and developing countries in recent years. Complementary and alternative medicines have been used since ancient era for the treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Bitter melon is widely used as vegetables in daily food in Bangladesh and several other countries in Asia. The fruits extract of bitter melon showed strong antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities in experimental condition both in vivo and in vitro. Recent scientific evaluation of this plant extracts also showed potential therapeutic benefit in diabetes and obesity related metabolic dysfunction in experimental animals and clinical studies. These beneficial effects are mediated probably by inducing lipid and fat metabolizing gene expression and increasing the function of AMPK and PPARs, and so forth. This review will thus focus on the recent findings on beneficial effect of Momordica charantia extracts on metabolic syndrome and discuss its potential mechanism of actions.
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Wang HY, Kan WC, Cheng TJ, Yu SH, Chang LH, Chuu JJ. Differential anti-diabetic effects and mechanism of action of charantin-rich extract of Taiwanese Momordica charantia between type 1 and type 2 diabetic mice. Food Chem Toxicol 2014; 69:347-56. [PMID: 24751968 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2014.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2013] [Revised: 03/31/2014] [Accepted: 04/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Momordica charantia Linn. (Cucurbitaceae), also called bitter melon, has traditionally been used as a natural anti-diabetic agent for anti-hyperglycemic activity in several animal models and clinical trials. We investigated the differences in the anti-diabetic properties and mechanism of action of Taiwanese M. charantia (MC) between type 1 diabetic (T1D) and type 2 diabetic (T2D) mice. To clarify the beneficial effects of MC, we measured non-fasting glucose, oral glucose tolerance, and plasma insulin levels in KK/HIJ mice with high-fat diet-induced diabetes (200 mg/kg/day of charantin-rich extract of MC [CEMC]) and in ICR mice with STZ-induced diabetes. After 8 weeks, all the mice were exsanguinated, and the expression of the insulin-signaling-associated proteins in their tissue was evaluated, in coordination with the protective effects of CEMC against pancreatic β-cell toxicity (in vitro). Eight weeks of data indicated that CEMC caused a significant decline in non-fasting blood glucose, plasma glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance in the KK/HIJ mice, but not in the ICR mice. Furthermore, CEMC decreased plasma insulin and promoted the sensitivity of insulin by increasing the expression of GLUT4 in the skeletal muscle and of IRS-1 in the liver of KK/HIJ mice; however, CEMC extract had no effect on the insulin sensitivity of ICR mice. In vitro study showed that CEMC prevented pancreatic β cells from high-glucose-induced cytotoxicity after 24 h of incubation, but the protective effect was not detectable after 72 h. Collectively, the hypoglycemic effects of CEMC suggest that it has potential for increasing insulin sensitivity in patients with T2D rather than for protecting patients with T1D against β-cell dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsien-Yi Wang
- Division of Nephrology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Yong-Kang District, Tainan City, Taiwan; Department of Sports Management, College of Leisure and Recreation Management, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Rende District, Tainan City, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chih Kan
- Division of Nephrology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Yong-Kang District, Tainan City, Taiwan; Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Chung Hua University of Medical Technology, Rende District, Tainan City, Taiwan
| | - Tain-Junn Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Yong-Kang District, Tainan City, Taiwan; Department of Occupational Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Yong-Kang District, Tainan City, Taiwan; Department of Occupational Safety, College of Environment, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Rende District, Tainan City, Taiwan; Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, North District, Tainan City, Taiwan
| | - Sung-Hsun Yu
- Institute of Biotechnology, College of Engineering, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Yong-Kang District, Tainan City, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Hao Chang
- Institute of Biotechnology, College of Engineering, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Yong-Kang District, Tainan City, Taiwan
| | - Jiunn-Jye Chuu
- Institute of Biotechnology, College of Engineering, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Yong-Kang District, Tainan City, Taiwan.
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Xu J, Cao K, Li Y, Zou X, Chen C, Szeto IMY, Dong Z, Zhao Y, Shi Y, Wang J, Liu J, Feng Z. Bitter gourd inhibits the development of obesity-associated fatty liver in C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet. J Nutr 2014; 144:475-83. [PMID: 24523491 DOI: 10.3945/jn.113.187450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bitter gourd (BG) is a popular fruit in Asia with numerous well-known medicinal uses, including as an antidiabetic. In the current study, we aimed to explore the effects of BG on mitochondrial function during the development of obesity-associated fatty liver. C57BL/6 mice were divided into 4 experimental groups: mice fed a normal diet (control; included for reference only), mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), and mice fed an HFD supplemented with freeze-dried BG powder through daily gavage at doses of 0.5 (HFD+0.5BG) and 5 (HFD+5BG) g/kg, respectively. After 16 wk, mice in the HFD+5BG group showed less body and tissue weight gain and less hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia compared with those in the HFD group (P < 0.05). In both HFD+0.5BG and HFD+5BG groups, serum interleukin-6 concentration was lower than that in the HFD group (P < 0.02). The serum C-reactive protein concentration was lower in the HFD+5BG group compared with the HFD group (P < 0.04). An analysis of liver tissue revealed lower liver triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations in both HFD+0.5BG and HFD+5BG groups than in the HFD group (P < 0.01). The HFD+5BG group had less activation of the sterol regulatory element binding protein/fatty acid synthase (SREBP-1/FAS) pathway, greater superoxide dismutase activity, and less total protein and mitochondrial protein oxidation than did the HFD group (P < 0.05). Mitochondrial complex I, II, III, and V activity was greater in the HFD+0.5BG group than in the HFD group (P < 0.03). The HFD+5BG group only had greater complex V activity compared with the HFD group (P < 0.05). Mitochondrial dynamics regulators, including dynamin related protein 1 (DRP1) and mitofusin 1 (MFN1), as well as proapoptotic protein expression levels were restored by BG treatment (P < 0.02). Taken together, our results suggest that BG prevents inflammation and oxidative stress, modulates mitochondrial activity, suppresses apoptosis activation, and inhibits lipid accumulation during the development of fatty liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Xu
- Centers for Mitochondrial Biology & Medicine and
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Potential for improved glycemic control with dietary Momordica charantia in patients with insulin resistance and pre-diabetes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2014; 11:2328-45. [PMID: 24566057 PMCID: PMC3945602 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph110202328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2013] [Revised: 02/02/2014] [Accepted: 02/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) is a widely used traditional remedy for hyperglycemia. While the medicinal properties of this plant have been studied extensively using in vitro and animal models, the clinical efficacy and safety in humans is largely unknown. This review discusses the benefits and limitations of bitter melon supplementation in the context of epidemic levels of insulin resistance and pre-diabetes throughout the world.
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Momordica charantia (Bitter Melon) reduces obesity-associated macrophage and mast cell infiltration as well as inflammatory cytokine expression in adipose tissues. PLoS One 2013; 8:e84075. [PMID: 24358329 PMCID: PMC3866167 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2013] [Accepted: 11/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a world-wide epidemic disease that correlates closely with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Obesity-induced chronic adipose tissue inflammation is now considered as a critical contributor to the above complications. Momordica charantia (bitter melon, BM) is a traditional Chinese food and well known for its function of reducing body weight gain and insulin resistance. However, it is unclear whether BM could alleviate adipose tissue inflammation caused by obesity. In this study, C57BL/6 mice were fed high fat diet (HFD) with or without BM for 12 weeks. BM-contained diets ameliorated HFD-induced obesity and insulin resistance. Histological and real-time PCR analysis demonstrated BM not only reduced macrophage infiltration into epididymal adipose tissues (EAT) and brown adipose tissues (BAT). Flow cytometry show that BM could modify the M1/M2 phenotype ratio of macrophages in EAT. Further study showed that BM lowered mast cell recruitments in EAT, and depressed pro-inflammatory cytokine monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) expression in EAT and BAT as well as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression in EAT. Finally, ELISA analysis showed BM-contained diets also normalized serum levels of the cytokines. In summary, in concert with ameliorated insulin resistance and fat deposition, BM reduced adipose tissue inflammation in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice.
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Yu Y, Zhang XH, Ebersole B, Ribnicky D, Wang ZQ. Bitter melon extract attenuating hepatic steatosis may be mediated by FGF21 and AMPK/Sirt1 signaling in mice. Sci Rep 2013; 3:3142. [PMID: 24189525 PMCID: PMC3912441 DOI: 10.1038/srep03142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2013] [Accepted: 10/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We sought to evaluate the effects of Momordica charantia (bitter melon, BM) extract on insulin sensitivity, NAFLD, hepatic FGF21 and AMPK signaling in mice fed a high-fat diet. Male C57/B6 mice were randomly divided into HFD and HFD supplementation with BM for 12 week. Body weight, plasma glucose, FGF21 and insulin levels, hepatic FGF21 and AMPK signaling proteins were measured. The results showed that plasma FGF21 and insulin concentrations were significantly decreased and hepatic FGF21 content was significantly down-regulated, while FGF receptors 1, 3 and 4 (FGFR1, FGFR3 and FGFR4) were greatly up-regulated in BM group compared to the HFD group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). BM also significantly increased hepatic AMPK p, AMPK α1 AMPK α2 and Sirt1 content compared to the HFD mice. We, for the first time, demonstrated that BM extract attenuated hepatic steatosis in mice by enhancing hepatic FGF21 and AMPK/Sirt1 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongmei Yu
- Nutrition and Diabetes Research Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, LSU System. Baton Rouge, LA 70808
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23
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Kwatra D, Venugopal A, Standing D, Ponnurangam S, Dhar A, Mitra A, Anant S. Bitter melon extracts enhance the activity of chemotherapeutic agents through the modulation of multiple drug resistance. J Pharm Sci 2013; 102:4444-54. [PMID: 24129966 DOI: 10.1002/jps.23753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2013] [Revised: 09/25/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Recently, we demonstrated that extracts of bitter melon (BME) can be used as a preventive/therapeutic agent in colon cancers. Here, we determined BME effects on anticancer activity and bioavailability of doxorubicin (DOX) in colon cancer cells. BME enhanced the effect of DOX on cell proliferation and sensitized the cells toward DOX upon pretreatment. Furthermore, there was both increased drug uptake and reduced drug efflux. We also observed a reduction in the expression of multidrug resistance conferring proteins (MDRCP) P-glycoprotein, MRP-2, and BCRP. Further BME suppressed DOX efflux in MDCK cells overexpressing the three efflux proteins individually, suggesting that BME is a potent inhibitor of MDR function. Next, we determined the effect of BME on PXR, a xenobiotic sensing nuclear receptor and a transcription factor that controls the expression of the three MDR genes. BME suppressed PXR promoter activity thereby suppressing its expression. Finally, we determined the effect of AMPK pathway on drug efflux because we have previously demonstrated that BME affects the pathway. However, inhibiting AMPK did not affect drug resistance, suggesting that BME may use different pathways for the anticancer and MDR modulating activities. Together, these results suggest that BME can enhance the bioavailability and efficacy of conventional chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deep Kwatra
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, 66160
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Kwatra D, Subramaniam D, Ramamoorthy P, Standing D, Moran E, Velayutham R, Mitra A, Umar S, Anant S. Methanolic extracts of bitter melon inhibit colon cancer stem cells by affecting energy homeostasis and autophagy. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2013; 2013:702869. [PMID: 23533514 PMCID: PMC3606719 DOI: 10.1155/2013/702869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2012] [Revised: 01/21/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Bitter melon fruit is recommended in ancient Indian and Chinese medicine for prevention/treatment of diabetes. However its effects on cancer progression are not well understood. Here, we have determined the efficacy of methanolic extracts of bitter melon on colon cancer stem and progenitor cells. Both, whole fruit (BMW) and skin (BMSk) extracts showed significant inhibition of cell proliferation and colony formation, with BMW showing greater efficacy. In addition, the cells were arrested at the S phase of cell cycle. Moreover, BMW induced the cleavage of LC3B but not caspase 3/7, suggesting that the cells were undergoing autophagy and not apoptosis. Further confirmation of autophagy was obtained when western blots showed reduced Bcl-2 and increased Beclin-1, Atg 7 and 12 upon BMW treatment. BMW reduced cellular ATP levels coupled with activation of AMP activated protein kinase; on the other hand, exogenous additions of ATP lead to revival of cell proliferation. Finally, BMW treatment results in a dose-dependent reduction in the number and size of colonospheres. The extracts also decreased the expression of DCLK1 and Lgr5, markers of quiescent, and activated stem cells. Taken together, these results suggest that the extracts of bitter melon can be an effective preventive/therapeutic agent for colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deep Kwatra
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard MS 3040, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Dharmalingam Subramaniam
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard MS 3040, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- University of Kansas Cancer Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard MS 3040, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Prabhu Ramamoorthy
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard MS 3040, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- University of Kansas Cancer Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard MS 3040, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - David Standing
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard MS 3040, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- University of Kansas Cancer Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard MS 3040, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Elizabeth Moran
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard MS 3040, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | | | - Ashim Mitra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Missouri at Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Shahid Umar
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard MS 3040, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- University of Kansas Cancer Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard MS 3040, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Shrikant Anant
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard MS 3040, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- University of Kansas Cancer Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard MS 3040, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
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Zhu Y, Dong Y, Qian X, Cui F, Guo Q, Zhou X, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Xiong Z. Effect of superfine grinding on antidiabetic activity of bitter melon powder. Int J Mol Sci 2012; 13:14203-18. [PMID: 23203059 PMCID: PMC3509575 DOI: 10.3390/ijms131114203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2012] [Revised: 10/19/2012] [Accepted: 10/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The antidiabetic activities of bitter melon powders produced with lyophilization/superfine grinding and hot air drying/normal grinding were investigated in vivo for selecting a suitable bitter melon processing procedure. After a five-week treatment, bitter melon lyophilized superfine grinding powder (BLSP) had a higher antidiabetic activity with reducing fasting blood glucose levels from 21.40 to 12.54 mmol/L, the serum insulin levels from 40.93 to 30.74 mIU/L, and restoring activities of SOD compared with those in the bitter melon hot air drying powder (BAP) treated group. Furthermore, BLSP protected pancreatic tissues including islet beta cells and reduced the loss of islet cells. Combined with the difference of compositions in BLSP and BAP, it could be concluded that superfine grinding and lyophilization processes were beneficial for presenting the antidiabetic activity, which will provide a reference for direct utilization of bitter melon as a suitable functional food to relieve symptoms of diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhu
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; E-Mails: (Y.Z.); (X.Q.); (F.C.); (Q.G.); (X.Z.); (Y.W.); (Y.Z.); (Z.X.)
| | - Ying Dong
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; E-Mails: (Y.Z.); (X.Q.); (F.C.); (Q.G.); (X.Z.); (Y.W.); (Y.Z.); (Z.X.)
| | - Xiwen Qian
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; E-Mails: (Y.Z.); (X.Q.); (F.C.); (Q.G.); (X.Z.); (Y.W.); (Y.Z.); (Z.X.)
| | - Fengjie Cui
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; E-Mails: (Y.Z.); (X.Q.); (F.C.); (Q.G.); (X.Z.); (Y.W.); (Y.Z.); (Z.X.)
| | - Qin Guo
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; E-Mails: (Y.Z.); (X.Q.); (F.C.); (Q.G.); (X.Z.); (Y.W.); (Y.Z.); (Z.X.)
| | - Xinghua Zhou
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; E-Mails: (Y.Z.); (X.Q.); (F.C.); (Q.G.); (X.Z.); (Y.W.); (Y.Z.); (Z.X.)
| | - Yun Wang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; E-Mails: (Y.Z.); (X.Q.); (F.C.); (Q.G.); (X.Z.); (Y.W.); (Y.Z.); (Z.X.)
| | - Yi Zhang
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; E-Mails: (Y.Z.); (X.Q.); (F.C.); (Q.G.); (X.Z.); (Y.W.); (Y.Z.); (Z.X.)
| | - Zhiyu Xiong
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; E-Mails: (Y.Z.); (X.Q.); (F.C.); (Q.G.); (X.Z.); (Y.W.); (Y.Z.); (Z.X.)
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26
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Mechanisms underlying decreased hepatic triacylglycerol and cholesterol by dietary bitter melon extract in the rat. Lipids 2012; 47:495-503. [PMID: 22457205 DOI: 10.1007/s11745-012-3667-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2011] [Accepted: 03/07/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
In these studies, we focused on finding the mechanism(s) underlying the bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) methanol fraction (MF)-dependent reduction in the concentration of hepatic triacylglycerol (TAG) and cholesterol in the rat. Rats were fed diets containing low (5 %) fat for 2 weeks (experiment 1), or low (5 %) and high (15 %) fat for a longer period of 8 weeks (experiment 2). MF was supplemented at 1 % level in both experiments. After feeding, rats were sacrificed, and their livers were prepared as slices and hepatocytes, followed by incubation with [1(2)-¹⁴C] acetate or [1-¹⁴C] oleic acid (18:1 n-6). Under these conditions, we found that rats fed diets containing MF, as compared to those without MF, showed: (1) no adverse effects on food intake and growth, (2) a decreased hepatic TAG and total cholesterol, irrespective of the difference in dietary fat level or feeding period, and (3) a decreased incorporation of [1(2)-(¹⁴C] acetate and [1-¹⁴C] oleic acid into TAG of liver slices and hepatocytes. MF-supplemented rats also showed no altered incorporation of labeled acetate into cholesterol and cholesterol ester, an increased fecal excretion of neutral steroids, but not of acidic steroids, and an enhanced mRNA abundance of carnitine palmitoylacyltransferase I, which is the rate-limiting enzyme for fatty acid oxidation. These results suggest that dietary MF decreases hepatic TAG synthesis while enhancing fatty acid oxidation, thereby reducing the concentration of hepatic TAG. The liver cholesterol-lowering effect of MF, however, is probably mediated through an increased fecal excretion of neutral steroids, without an effect on cholesterogenesis.
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Brennan VC, Wang CM, Yang WH. Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) extract suppresses adrenocortical cancer cell proliferation through modulation of the apoptotic pathway, steroidogenesis, and insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor/RAC-α serine/threonine-protein kinase signaling. J Med Food 2011; 15:325-34. [PMID: 22191569 DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2011.0158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinomas are rare but present with extremely poor prognosis. One of the approaches to control cancer progression and reduce cancer risk is prevention through diet. Bitter melon is widely consumed as a vegetable and especially as a traditional medicine in many countries. In this study, we have used human and mouse adrenocortical cancer cells as an in vitro model to assess the efficacy of bitter melon extract (BME) as an anticancer agent. The protein concentrations of BME and other extracts were measured before use. First, BME treatment of adrenocortical cancer cells resulted in a significantly dose-dependent decrease in cell proliferation. However, we did not observe an antiproliferative effect in adrenocortical cancer cells treated with extracts from blueberry, zucchini, and acorn squash. Second, apoptosis of adrenocortical cancer cells was accompanied by increased caspase-3 activation and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. BME treatment enhanced cellular tumor antigen p53, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (also called p21), and cyclic AMP-dependent transcription factor-3 levels and inhibited G1/S-specific cyclin D1, D2, and D3, and mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (also called Janus kinase) expression, suggesting an additional mechanism involving cell cycle regulation and cell survival. Third, BME treatment decreased the key proteins involved in steroidogenesis in adrenocortical cancer cells. BME treatment decreased the level of phosphorylation of cyclin-dependent kinase 7, which is required, at least in part, for steroidogenic factor 1 activation. Finally, we observed that BME treatment significantly reduced the level of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor and its downstream signaling pathway as evidenced by lower levels of phosphorylated RAC-α serine/threonine-protein kinase. Taken together, these data illustrate the inhibitory effect of bitter melon on cell proliferation of adrenocortical cancer through modulation of diverse mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria C Brennan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, Georgia 31404-3089, USA
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Keller AC, Ma J, Kavalier A, He K, Brillantes AMB, Kennelly EJ. Saponins from the traditional medicinal plant Momordica charantia stimulate insulin secretion in vitro. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2011; 19:32-7. [PMID: 22133295 PMCID: PMC3389550 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2011.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2010] [Revised: 05/01/2011] [Accepted: 06/22/2011] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The antidiabetic activity of Momordica charantia (L.), Cucurbitaceae, a widely-used treatment for diabetes in a number of traditional medicine systems, was investigated in vitro. Antidiabetic activity has been reported for certain saponins isolated from M. charantia. In this study insulin secretion was measured in MIN6 β-cells incubated with an ethanol extract, saponin-rich fraction, and five purified saponins and cucurbitane triterpenoids from M. charantia, 3β,7β,25-trihydroxycucurbita-5,23(E)-dien-19-al (1), momordicine I (2), momordicine II (3), 3-hydroxycucurbita-5,24-dien-19-al-7,23-di-O-β-glucopyranoside (4), and kuguaglycoside G (5). Treatments were compared to incubation with high glucose (27 mM) and the insulin secretagogue, glipizide (50 μM). At 125 μg/ml, an LC-ToF-MS characterized saponin-rich fraction stimulated insulin secretion significantly more than the DMSO vehicle, p=0.02. At concentrations 10 and 25 μg/ml, compounds 3 and 5 also significantly stimulated insulin secretion as compared to the vehicle, p≤0.007, and p=0.002, respectively. This is the first report of a saponin-rich fraction, and isolated compounds from M. charantia, stimulating insulin secretion in an in vitro, static incubation assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy C. Keller
- Lehman College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York, Bronx, NY 10468
| | - Jun Ma
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD 20740
| | - Adam Kavalier
- Lehman College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York, Bronx, NY 10468
| | - Kan He
- Naturex, Inc., South Hackensack, NJ 07606
| | | | - Edward J. Kennelly
- Corresponding author: Edward J. Kennelly, phone: 718-960-1105, fax: 718-960-8236,
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Regulation of glucose metabolism via hepatic forkhead transcription factor 1 (FoxO1) by Morinda citrifolia (noni) in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Br J Nutr 2011; 108:218-228. [PMID: 22011624 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114511005563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Renewed interest in alternative medicine among diabetic individuals prompted us to investigate anti-diabetic effects of Morinda citrifolia (noni) in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Type 2 diabetes is associated with increased glucose production due to the inability of insulin to suppress hepatic gluconeogenesis and promote glycolysis. Insulin inhibits gluconeogenesis by modulating transcription factors such as forkhead box O (FoxO1). Based on microarray analysis data, we tested the hypothesis that fermented noni fruit juice (fNJ) improves glucose metabolism via FoxO1 phosphorylation. C57BL/6 male mice were fed a HFD and fNJ for 12 weeks. Body weights and food intake were monitored daily. FoxO1 expression was analysed by real-time PCR and Western blotting. Specificity of fNJ-associated FoxO1 regulation of gluconeogenesis was confirmed by small interfering RNA (siRNA) studies using human hepatoma cells, HepG2. Supplementation with fNJ inhibited weight gain and improved glucose and insulin tolerance and fasting glucose in HFD-fed mice. Hypoglycaemic properties of fNJ were associated with the inhibition of hepatic FoxO1 mRNA expression, with a concomitant increase in FoxO1 phosphorylation and nuclear expulsion of the proteins. Gluconeogenic genes, phosphoenolpyruvate C kinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6P), were significantly inhibited in mice fed a HFD+fNJ. HepG2 cells demonstrated more than 80 % inhibition of PEPCK and G6P mRNA expression in cells treated with FoxO1 siRNA and fNJ. These data suggest that fNJ improves glucose metabolism via FoxO1 regulation in HFD-fed mice.
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Ru P, Steele R, Nerurkar PV, Phillips N, Ray RB. Bitter melon extract impairs prostate cancer cell-cycle progression and delays prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia in TRAMP model. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2011; 4:2122-30. [PMID: 21911444 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-11-0376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths among American men. Earlier diagnosis increases survival rate in patients. However, treatments for advanced disease are limited to hormone ablation techniques and palliative care. Thus, new methods of treatment and prevention are necessary for inhibiting disease progression to a hormone refractory state. One of the approaches to control prostate cancer is prevention through diet, which inhibits one or more neoplastic events and reduces the cancer risk. For centuries, Ayurveda has recommended the use of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) as a functional food to prevent and treat human health related issues. In this study, we have initially used human prostate cancer cells, PC3 and LNCaP, as an in vitro model to assess the efficacy of bitter melon extract (BME) as an anticancer agent. We observed that prostate cancer cells treated with BME accumulate during the S phase of the cell cycle and modulate cyclin D1, cyclin E, and p21 expression. Treatment of prostate cancer cells with BME enhanced Bax expression and induced PARP cleavage. Oral gavage of BME, as a dietary compound, delayed the progression to high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia in TRAMP (transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate) mice (31%). Prostate tissue from BME-fed mice displayed approximately 51% reduction of proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression. Together, our results suggest for the first time that oral administration of BME inhibits prostate cancer progression in TRAMP mice by interfering cell-cycle progression and proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Ru
- Department of Pathology, Saint Louis University, 1100 South Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
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Ching RHH, Yeung LOY, Tse IMY, Sit WH, Li ETS. Supplementation of bitter melon to rats fed a high-fructose diet during gestation and lactation ameliorates fructose-induced dyslipidemia and hepatic oxidative stress in male offspring. J Nutr 2011; 141:1664-72. [PMID: 21813810 DOI: 10.3945/jn.111.142299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined the impact of maternal high-fructose intake and if metabolic control in the offspring could benefit from supplementing bioactive food components such as bitter melon (BM) to the maternal diet. In Expt. 1, virgin female rats received control (C), high-fructose (F; 60%), or BM-supplemented fructose (FBM; 1%) diet before conception until d 21 of lactation. Weaned male offspring were fed the C diet for 11 wk, forming C/C, F/C, and FBM/C groups. The F/C group had elevated serum insulin, TG, and FFA concentrations and hepatic lipid alterations compared with the C/C and FBM/C groups (P < 0.05). The 2 latter groups did not differ. Expt. 2 had similar dam treatment groups, but offspring were weaned to the C or F diet, forming C/C, C/F, F/F, and FBM/F groups, and the dietary treatment was extended to 20 wk. The hepatic levels of stearyl-CoA desaturase and microsomal TG transfer protein mRNA were lower, but that of PPARγ coactivator 1-α and fibroblast growth factor 21 mRNA and fatty acid binding protein 1 protein were higher in the FBM/F group compared with the C/F and F/F groups (P < 0.05), indicating that maternal BM supplementation may reduce lipogenesis and promote lipid oxidation in offspring. The FBM/F group had significantly higher activities of liver glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase than the F/F group. The results indicate that supplementing BM to dams could offset the adverse effects of maternal high-fructose intake on lipid metabolism and antioxidant status in adult offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel H H Ching
- Food and Nutritional Science Division, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
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Snee LS, Nerurkar VR, Dooley DA, Efird JT, Shovic AC, Nerurkar PV. Strategies to improve palatability and increase consumption intentions for Momordica charantia (bitter melon): a vegetable commonly used for diabetes management. Nutr J 2011; 10:78. [PMID: 21794176 PMCID: PMC3162490 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2891-10-78] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2011] [Accepted: 07/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although beneficial to health, dietary phytonutrients are bitter, acid and/or astringent in taste and therefore reduce consumer choice and acceptance during food selection. Momordica charantia, commonly known as bitter melon has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to treat diabetes and its complications. The aim of this study was to develop bitter melon-containing recipes and test their palatability and acceptability in healthy individuals for future clinical studies. METHODS A cross-sectional sensory evaluation of bitter melon-containing ethnic recipes was conducted among 50 healthy individuals. The primary endpoints assessed in this analysis were current consumption information and future intentions to consume bitter melon, before and after provision of attribute- and health-specific information. A convenience sample of 50, self-reported non-diabetic adults were recruited from the University of Hawaii. Sensory evaluations were compared using two-way ANOVA, while differences in stage of change (SOC) before and after receiving health information were analyzed by Chi-square (χ2) analyses. RESULTS Our studies indicate that tomato-based recipes were acceptable to most of the participants and readily acceptable, as compared with recipes containing spices such as curry powder. Health information did not have a significant effect on willingness to consume bitter melon, but positively affected the classification of SOC. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that incorporating bitter foods in commonly consumed food dishes can mask bitter taste of bitter melon. Furthermore, providing positive health information can elicit a change in the intent to consume bitter melon-containing dishes despite mixed palatability results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura S Snee
- Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences (HNFAS), College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Vivek R Nerurkar
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Dian A Dooley
- Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences (HNFAS), College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Jimmy T Efird
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA
- Center for Health Disparities Research and Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Anne C Shovic
- Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences (HNFAS), College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Pratibha V Nerurkar
- Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders and Alternative Medicine, Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering (MBBE), CTAHR, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA
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Nerurkar PV, Johns LM, Buesa LM, Kipyakwai G, Volper E, Sato R, Shah P, Feher D, Williams PG, Nerurkar VR. Momordica charantia (bitter melon) attenuates high-fat diet-associated oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. J Neuroinflammation 2011; 8:64. [PMID: 21639917 PMCID: PMC3129574 DOI: 10.1186/1742-2094-8-64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2010] [Accepted: 06/03/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The rising epidemic of obesity is associated with cognitive decline and is considered as one of the major risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases. Neuroinflammation is a critical component in the progression of several neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Increased metabolic flux to the brain during overnutrition and obesity can orchestrate stress response, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, recruitment of inflammatory immune cells from peripheral blood and microglial cells activation leading to neuroinflammation. The lack of an effective treatment for obesity-associated brain dysfunction may have far-reaching public health ramifications, urgently necessitating the identification of appropriate preventive and therapeutic strategies. The objective of our study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) on high-fat diet (HFD)-associated BBB disruption, stress and neuroinflammatory cytokines. Methods C57BL/6 female mice were fed HFD with and without bitter melon (BM) for 16 weeks. BBB disruption was analyzed using Evans blue dye. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) perfused brains were analyzed for neuroinflammatory markers such as interleukin-22 (IL-22), IL-17R, IL-16, NF-κB1, and glial cells activation markers such as Iba1, CD11b, GFAP and S100β. Additionally, antioxidant enzymes, ER-stress proteins, and stress-resistant transcription factors, sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) and forkhead box class O transcription factor (FoxO) were analyzed using microarray, quantitative real-time RT-PCR, western immunoblotting and enzymatic assays. Systemic inflammation was analyzed using cytokine antibody array. Results BM ameliorated HFD-associated changes in BBB permeability as evident by reduced leakage of Evans blue dye. HFD-induced glial cells activation and expression of neuroinflammatory markers such as NF-κB1, IL-16, IL-22 as well as IL-17R were normalized in the brains of mice supplemented with BM. Similarly, HFD-induced brain oxidative stress was significantly reduced by BM supplementation with a concomitant reduction in FoxO, normalization of Sirt1 protein expression and up-regulation of Sirt3 mRNA expression. Furthermore, plasma antioxidant enzymes and pro-inflammatory cytokines were also normalized in mice fed HFD with BM as compared to HFD-fed mice. Conclusions Functional foods such as BM offer a unique therapeutic strategy to improve obesity-associated peripheral inflammation and neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratibha V Nerurkar
- Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders and Alternative Medicine, Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
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Habicht SD, Kind V, Rudloff S, Borsch C, Mueller AS, Pallauf J, Yang RY, Krawinkel MB. Quantification of antidiabetic extracts and compounds in bitter gourd varieties. Food Chem 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2010.10.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Bioactives from bitter melon enhance insulin signaling and modulate acyl carnitine content in skeletal muscle in high-fat diet-fed mice. J Nutr Biochem 2011; 22:1064-73. [PMID: 21277185 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2010.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2010] [Revised: 09/08/2010] [Accepted: 09/08/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Bioactive components from bitter melon (BM) have been reported to improve glucose metabolism in vivo, but definitive studies on efficacy and mechanism of action are lacking. We sought to investigate the effects of BM bioactives on body weight, muscle lipid content and insulin signaling in mice fed a high-fat diet and on insulin signaling in L6 myotubes. Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into low-fat diet control (LFD), high-fat diet (HFD) and HFD plus BM (BM) groups. Body weight, body composition, plasma glucose, leptin, insulin and muscle lipid profile were determined over 12 weeks. Insulin signaling was determined in the mouse muscle taken at end of study and in L6 myotubes exposed to the extract. Body weight, plasma glucose, insulin, leptin levels and HOMA-IR values were significantly lower in the BM-fed HFD group when compared to the HFD group. BM supplementation significantly increased IRS-2, IR β, PI 3K and GLUT4 protein abundance in skeletal muscle, as well as phosphorylation of IRS-1, Akt1 and Akt2 when compared with HFD (P<.05 and P<.01). BM also significantly reduced muscle lipid content in the HFD mice. BM extract greatly increased glucose uptake and enhanced insulin signaling in L6 myotubes. This study shows that BM bioactives reduced body weight, improved glucose metabolism and enhanced skeletal muscle insulin signaling. A contributing mechanism to the enhanced insulin signaling may be associated with the reduction in skeletal muscle lipid content. Nutritional supplementation with this extract, if validated for human studies, may offer an adjunctive therapy for diabetes.
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Abstract
Bitter gourd (BG, Momordica charantia) exerts proven blood glucose- and body weight-lowering effects. To develop an effective and safe application, it is necessary to identify the bioactive compounds and biochemical mechanisms responsible for these effects in type 2 diabetes. A total of forty-five 4-week-old male db/db mice were assigned to five groups of nine each. The mice were given sterile tap water as a control, a whole fruit powder, the lipid fraction, the saponin fraction or the hydrophilic residue of BG at a daily oral dosage of 150 mg/kg body weight for 5 weeks, respectively. Weight gain was significantly decreased in all the BG-treated groups (P ≤ 0.05). Glycated Hb levels were the highest in the control mice compared with all the four BG-treated mice (P = 0.02). The lipid fraction had the strongest effect, and it tended (P = 0.075) to reduce glycated Hb levels from 9.3 % (control mice) to 8.0 % (lipid fraction-treated mice). The lipid and saponin fractions reduced lipid peroxidation of adipose tissue significantly (P ≤ 0.01). Additionally, the saponin fraction and the lipid fraction reduced protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP 1B) activity in skeletal muscle cytosol by 25 % (P = 0.05) and 23 % (P = 0.07), respectively. PTP 1B is the physiological antagonist of the insulin signalling pathway. Inhibition of PTP 1B increases insulin sensitivity. This is the first study to demonstrate that BG is involved in PTP 1B regulation, and thus explains one possible biochemical mechanism underlying the antidiabetic effects of BG in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
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Nerurkar PV, Lee YK, Nerurkar VR. Momordica charantia (bitter melon) inhibits primary human adipocyte differentiation by modulating adipogenic genes. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2010; 10:34. [PMID: 20587058 PMCID: PMC2911406 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-10-34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2010] [Accepted: 06/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Escalating trends of obesity and associated type 2 diabetes (T2D) has prompted an increase in the use of alternative and complementary functional foods. Momordica charantia or bitter melon (BM) that is traditionally used to treat diabetes and complications has been demonstrated to alleviate hyperglycemia as well as reduce adiposity in rodents. However, its effects on human adipocytes remain unknown. The objective of our study was to investigate the effects of BM juice (BMJ) on lipid accumulation and adipocyte differentiation transcription factors in primary human differentiating preadipocytes and adipocytes. METHODS Commercially available cryopreserved primary human preadipocytes were treated with and without BMJ during and after differentiation. Cytotoxicity, lipid accumulation, and adipogenic genes mRNA expression was measured by commercial enzymatic assay kits and semi-quantitative RT-PCR (RT-PCR). RESULTS Preadipocytes treated with varying concentrations of BMJ during differentiation demonstrated significant reduction in lipid content with a concomitant reduction in mRNA expression of adipocyte transcription factors such as, peroxisome proliferator-associated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) and adipocytokine, resistin. Similarly, adipocytes treated with BMJ for 48 h demonstrated reduced lipid content, perilipin mRNA expression, and increased lipolysis as measured by the release of glycerol. CONCLUSION Our data suggests that BMJ is a potent inhibitor of lipogenesis and stimulator of lipolysis activity in human adipocytes. BMJ may therefore prove to be an effective complementary or alternative therapy to reduce adipogenesis in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratibha V Nerurkar
- Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders and Alternative Medicine, Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 USA
| | - Yun-Kung Lee
- Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders and Alternative Medicine, Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 USA
| | - Vivek R Nerurkar
- Retrovirology Research Laboratory, Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 USA
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Chaturvedi P, George S. Momordica charantiaMaintains Normal Glucose Levels and Lipid Profiles and Prevents Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Rats Subjected to Chronic Sucrose Load. J Med Food 2010; 13:520-7. [DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2009.0151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Padmaja Chaturvedi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Botswana College of Agriculture, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Saramma George
- Department of Basic Sciences, Botswana College of Agriculture, Gaborone, Botswana
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Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) triterpenoid extract reduces preadipocyte viability, lipid accumulation and adiponectin expression in 3T3-L1 cells. Food Chem Toxicol 2010; 48:1619-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2010.03.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2009] [Revised: 03/18/2010] [Accepted: 03/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Nerurkar P, Ray RB. Bitter Melon: Antagonist to Cancer. Pharm Res 2010; 27:1049-53. [DOI: 10.1007/s11095-010-0057-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2009] [Accepted: 01/05/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Ray RB, Raychoudhuri A, Steele R, Nerurkar P. Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) Extract Inhibits Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation by Modulating Cell Cycle Regulatory Genes and Promotes Apoptosis. Cancer Res 2010; 70:1925-31. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-09-3438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Current world literature. Curr Opin Lipidol 2009; 20:512-9. [PMID: 19935200 DOI: 10.1097/mol.0b013e328334096a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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