Effects of Momordica charantia L on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta- analysis of randomized clinical trials

Abstract

Several reports have indicated a positive effect of Momordica charantia (MC) on blood pressure (BP); nevertheless, these findings have been controversial. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were aimed to investigate the effects of MC supplementation on BP. PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane library databases were searched (up to June 2020) to identify RCTs investigating the effects of Momordica charantia supplementation on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Weighted mean differences (WMD) were pooled using a random-effects model. Publication bias was assessed by Egger's and Begg's test and heterogeneity was evaluated using Q tests and the I 2 statistic. Eventually, only five articles (six treatment arms) 305 participants (154 as intervention group/151 as control), which reported data of interest entered for data analysis. The meta-analysis showed a non-significant reduction in SBP (WMD: −2.28 mmHg; 95% CI: −6.62, 2.05, P = .302), with significant heterogeneity between selected studies (I 2 = 77.3%) and (WMD: −0.8 mmHg, 95% CI: −2.65 to 1.04, P = .394) with significant between-study heterogeneity (I 2 = 38.1%). When studies were categorized based on participants' mean age and duration of intervention, SBP and DBP had a large non-significant decrease in subjects with equivalent and less than 50 years' subset and short duration (≤8 weeks'). Consumption of MC preparations was not associated with a significant reduction in either SBP or DBP. However, we found a significant hypotensive effect of MC in younger adults and in short-term interventions. Future adequately powered clinical trials, with larger sample size, which consider proper standardization of MC preparations and exclusively include hypertensive patients, are needed to investigate the clinical potential of MC on blood pressure control among these patients.

The Role of Diet in the Prevention of Hypertension and Management of Blood Pressure: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses of Interventional and Observational Studies

“…There was moderate-quality evidence showing significantly decreased DBP with blueberry [ 122 ], SBP and DBP with beetroot [ 123 ], berries [ 124 ], cactus pear [ 45 ], and pomegranate [ 125 ] intakes. There was moderate-quality evidence showing nonsignificantly decreased SBP with blueberry [ 122 ], SBP and DBP with bitter melon [ 126 ] and strawberry (SBP) intakes [ 127 ]. Low-quality evidence was available for garlic [ 128 ], ginger [ 129 ], cranberry (SBP) [ 130 ], grapefruit (SBP) [ 131 ], strawberry (DBP) [ 127 ], sour cherry (DBP) [ 132 ], Goji berry [ 133 ], kiwi fruit [ 134 ], fruit juice [ 81 ], orange juice [ 135 ], fruits and vegetables [ 136 ], and tomato [ 137 ], and very-low-quality evidence for 100% fruit juice [ 138 ] and aronia berry [ 139 ].…”

Response to commentary on 'zinc supplementation is associated with a reduction in serum markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials'

“…Finally, in agreement with a statistical expert and based on relevant references (12,13), we commonly used correlation coefficient (r) = 0.5 (14)(15)(16)(17) as an average to minimize the bias of estimates. In addition, it is noteworthy that all of our methodology protocols and approaches were officially registered with PROSPERO (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=213987) (1).…”

The metabolic effect of Momordica charantia cannot be determined based on the available clinical evidence: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

“…In the last five years, numerous review articles have been published about bitter melon chemical compounds ( 37 , 38 ), nutritional value ( 39 , 40 ), and pharmacological actions ( 36 , 41 – 43 ), but only a few are with meta-analysis. Jandari et al performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials regarding the effect of bitter melon on blood pressure ( 44 ), Cortez-Navarrete et al reviewed the metabolic effects of bitter melon reported in clinical trials ( 45 ), but without performing a meta-analysis, while Peter et al evaluated the efficacy in lowering the elevated plasma glucose level in diabetes mellitus ( 46 ). The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of bitter melon on metabolic syndrome parameters.…”