Prevention of carcinogen-induced mouse skin papilloma by whole fruit aqueous extract of Momordica charantia

Abstract

The anticarcinogenic effect of aqueous extract of fruit of Momordica charantia (bitter gourd), which is widely used as a vegetable in India, was studied in a two-step skin carcinogenesis model in mice. The possible mode of action was also investigated. Oral administration of the fruit extract was found to have an adverse effect on the general health and lifespan of the animals when used at a high concentration. But when this dose was reduced by half, the test extract afforded protection from the development of skin tumour and increased life expectancy. Carcinogen-induced lipid peroxidation in liver and DNA damage in lymphocytes were found to be reduced following treatment with Momordica. The fruit extract was found to significantly activate the liver enzymes glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase (P < 0.001), which showed a depression following exposure to the carcinogen. The results suggest a preventive role of water-soluble constituents of M. charantia fruit during carcinogenesis, which is mediated possibly by their modulatory effect on enzymes of the biotransformation and detoxification system of the host.

Targeting AMPK signaling in combating ovarian cancers: opportunities and challenges

“…Moreover, elevated levels of serum cholesterol and triglycerides in hyperlipidemic, diabetic, or insulin-resistant rodents were shown to be suppressed by BME [189][190][191][192], which is consistent with the clinical hyperlipidemic impact of metformin [193][194][195][196]. On the other hand, BME was demonstrated to possess an antipromotional effect on cancer induction in rodent models of either spontaneous or carcinogen-induced carcinoma [170,197,198]. Coincidently, metformin's fellow biguanide, phenformin, has also been revealed to exert similar effects by downregulating IGFI activity [185,199].…”

“…Over the years, BME has already drawn global attention due to its increasing and valuable medicinal values. Apart from its amazing hypoglycemia action, previous findings from independent laboratories have revealed that constituents of bitter melon can have analgesic, antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral, antimutagenic, abortifacient, cytotoxic, and immunomodulating properties [168][169][170]. Lots of BME dietary supplement products are currently available and marketed in numerous health food stores worldwide.…”

Beneficial Effects of Momordica charantia Seeds in the Treatment of STZ-Induced Diabetes in Experimental Rats

“…Different parts of these plants have been used in the Indian system of medicine for a number of ailments besides diabetes. 9,10) Our previous experimental results were highly encouraging as they revealed that blood glucose level was significantly lowered after oral administration of aqueous extract of Momordica charantia seeds in glucose load condition and in streptozotocin induced diabetes. 11) In view of the above considerations, the present study was designed to examine the effect of an aqueous extract from the seeds of Momordica charantia on oxidative stress in plasma and pancreas of diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin, and their efficacy was compared with glibenclamide, a standard hypoglycemic drug.…”

Pharmacological actions and potential uses of Momordica charantia: a review

“…Various preliminary studies (in vitro as well as in vivo) with crude MC extract and its various purified fraction-including MAP 30-have shown anticancer activity against lymphoid leukemia, lymphoma, choriocarcinoma, melanoma, breast cancer, skin tumor, prostatic cancer, squamous carcinoma of tongue and larynx, human bladder carcinomas and Hodgkin's disease (Licastro et al, 1980;Ng et al, 1994;Battelli et al, 1996;Ganguly et al, 2000;Sun et al, 2001;Basch et al, 2003;). However, Kusamran et al (1998) demonstrated chemopreventive potential of Thailand Momordica charantia but not by the Chinese variety.…”