Antimicrobial Potential of Momordica charantia L. against Multiresistant Standard Species and Clinical Isolates

Extraction, structures, biological effects and potential mechanisms of Momordica charantia polysaccharides: A review

Momordica charantia L. is a kind of vegetable with medicinal value. As the main component of the vegetable, Momordica charantia polysaccharides (MCPs) mainly consist of galactose, galacturonic acid, xylose, rhamnose, mannose and the molecular weight range is 4.33 × 103-1.16 × 106 Da. MCPs have been found to have various biological activities in recent years, such as anti-oxidation, anti-diabetes, anti-brain injury, anti-obesity, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammation. In this review, we systematically summarized the extraction methods, structural characteristics and physicochemical properties of MCPs. Especially MCPs modulate gut microbiota and cause the alterations of metabolic products, which can regulate different signaling pathways and target gene expressions to exert various functions. Meanwhile, the potential structure-activity relationships of MCPs were analyzed to provide a scientific basis for better development or modification of MCPs. Future researches on MCPs should focus on industrial extraction and molecular mechanisms. In East Asia, Momordica charantia L. is used as both food and medicine. It is not clear whether MCP has its unique biological effects. Further study on the difference between MCPs and other food-derived polysaccharides will be helpful to the development and potential application of Momordica charantia L.

In-vitro Evaluation of Wild Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) Extracts against Periodontopathic Bacteria (Prevotella intermedia and Porphyromonas gingivalis) using Antibacterial, Anti-Inflammatory and Molecular Docking Analysis

Wild bitter melon (Momordica charantia) extracts were prepared and their antibacterial and anti-biofilm assay were investigated against two different periodontopathic bacteria (Prevotella intermedia and Porphyromonas gingivalis) for the first time to the best of our knowledge based on the presence of different phytochemical compounds. Momordica charantia solvent extracts were prepared and phytochemical analysis was performed. Minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations were determined. Antibacterial activity was evaluated using the standard well diffusion method. Anti-inflammatory studies on periodontal ligament (PDL) cell viability and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation were performed. Molecular docking was investigated between the bioactive compound (Charantadiol A) of plant extract and biofilm-expressing genes in each test organism. Phytochemicals from ethanol extract showed promising results; alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, and tannins were found present at considerable levels. The minimum inhibitory concentration was found to be 400 μg/mL for Prevotella intermedia and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Antibacterial activity expressed in terms of zone of inhibition showed 14 mm to 18 mm zones against the test organisms. The molecular docking report revealed the maximum binding energy of about -6.54 Kcal/Mol of binding energy between Charantadiol A and fimA of Porphyromonas gingivalis. Anti-biofilm study showed that the minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) of Momordica charantia expressed significantly good results against the test organisms. The PDL cell viability values expressed in percentage indicated the anti-inflammatory properties of Momordica charantia extracts at three different known concentrations. The findings concluded that Momordica charantia extracts have promising prospects as an anti-periodontopathic and anti-inflammatory agent.

Antimicrobial Effect of Phytochemicals from Edible Plants

Current strategies of combating bacterial infections are limited and involve the use of antibiotics and preservatives. Each of these agents has generally inadequate efficacy and a number of serious adverse effects. Thus, there is an urgent need for new antimicrobial drugs and food preservatives with higher efficacy and lower toxicity. Edible plants have been used in medicine since ancient times and are well known for their successful antimicrobial activity. Often photosensitizers are present in many edible plants; they could be a promising source for a new generation of drugs and food preservatives. The use of photodynamic therapy allows enhancement of antimicrobial properties in plant photosensitizers. The purpose of this review is to present the verified data on the antimicrobial activities of photodynamic phytochemicals in edible species of the world’s flora, including the various mechanisms of their actions.