Neuroprotective effects of Momordica charantia: A review from preclinical studies

Abstract

Momordica charantia L. (M. charantia), also referred as bitter gourd or bitter melon, is a cucurbit plant commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. As an important ingredient in traditional medicine, it has been consumed to treat a wide range of diseases including diabetics and cancer in India, Indian subcontinent and China. This plant contains a rich source of flavonoids, saponins, triterpenes, polysaccharides, proteins, and other phytochemicals. Earlier studies have demonstrated the medicinal properties such as anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anthelmintic properties present in M. charantia. Neurodegenerative diseases are the devastating diseases which affect millions of people worldwide. Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are some of the common neurodegenerative diseases. These diseases are described by degeneration and /or loss of selective neuron populations in a progressive manner. Oxidative stress and inflammation are the hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases. Many medicinal herbs and their derivatives have been investigated to treat neurodegenerative diseases. However, very few studies have reported the protective effects of M. charantia against neurodegenerative diseases. In this short review, we discuss the preclinical studies with the focus on the neuroprotective effects of M. charantia. Based on the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, in this review we emphasize to further explore the protective effects of M. charantia in neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases.

A Mini-Review on the Neuroprotective Effects of Extracts and Metabolites of Momordica charantia

“…These activities can be categorized into different nervous system (NS) disorders as targets. They include central nervous system (CNS) injury (10), neuronal damage (6), defective memory (5), neuronal cancer (5), neuro-inflammation (3), cognitive impairment (2) and aging (2). Many of these disorders are inter-related.…”

“…Neuroprotection refers to strategies and mechanisms for defending the central nervous system (CNS) against neuronal injury due to both acute (e.g., stroke and trauma) and chronic (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease) neurodegenerative disorders. 1 Neurodegeneration has oxidative stress and inflammation as its hallmarks, 2 and is accompanied by neuronal cell death with apoptosis and necrosis, the two major death pathways. 3 Neuroprotective natural products from plants are an importance source of herbal medicine for the prevention rather than treatment of neurological disorders.…”