Beneficial Role of Bitter Melon Supplementation in Obesity and Related Complications in Metabolic Syndrome

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.

Effect of Momordica charantia, Camellia sinensis and Cinnamon Species on Insulin Resistance

“…PPARγ is mainly present in adipose tissue. Bitter melon induced a significant increase in levels of adiponectin and the expression of PPARγ, perhaps mediated by this increase, the reversal of the entire deleterious metabolic indices [92].…”

Traditional Medicinal Systems for Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus: A Review

“…Bitter melon juice has been reported to be more effective than other forms as it reacts faster than any other formulation [18]. The beneficial effect of bitter melon has been reported due to its ability to maintain the structural integrity of the pancreatic islets and regulating the synthesis and release of pancreatic hormones [19]. It has also been reported to maintain blood cholesterol.…”

Fresh Bitter Melon Fruit (Momordica charantia) Attenuated Oxidative Stress, Fibrosis and Renal Injury in Carbon Tetrachloride Treated Rats

“…This plant possesses several groups of bioactive molecules like polyphenols, flavonoids, glycosides, triterpenes, tannins and fixed oils. 16 Our previous study found out that 10% w/w fruit supplementation of M. charantia with food ameliorated hepatic damage, oxidative stress and fibrosis. 17 Interestingly, the renoprotective activity of this plant has not been focused well on CCl 4 induced animal model.…”

“…17 The previous study also explored that bitter melon regulates peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptors (PPARs), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and fatty acid synthesis (FAS) related genes. 16 Bitter melon also reduced inflammatory, pro-inflammatory, fibrogenic, profibrogenic and iron-mediated protein. 16 Our study revealed that improvement of anti-oxidant component and reduction of oxidative stress markers could protect from renal damage via anti-oxidant mediated mechanism.…”

“…16 Bitter melon also reduced inflammatory, pro-inflammatory, fibrogenic, profibrogenic and iron-mediated protein. 16 Our study revealed that improvement of anti-oxidant component and reduction of oxidative stress markers could protect from renal damage via anti-oxidant mediated mechanism. Recent literature focused that oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis may be produced by angiotensin-II mediated pathway.…”