Beneficial medicinal effects of the green vegetable fruit of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) to treat non-communicable diseases when used uncooked.

Dietary Manipulations for Health and in the Prevention and Management of Disease (Manchester Metropolitan University, UK) (2024) Proc Physiol Soc 56, C19

Poster Communications: Beneficial medicinal effects of the green vegetable fruit of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) to treat non-communicable diseases when used uncooked.

Jaipaul Singh1, Ernest Adeghate1, Carlin Hanoman1,

1University of Central Lancashire Preston United Kingdom, 2United Arab Emirates University Al Ain United Arab Emirates, 3Zayed Center for Health Sciences Al Ain United Arab Emirates,

View other abstracts by:


Introduction: People have used plants as both food and medicine since their existence. One such plant is Momordica charantia (M-charantia) or bitter melon. Aims and objectives: This study investigated the potential beneficial cost-effective use of daily consumption of M-charantia fruit juice (volume/weight) in conjunction with diet modification and daily exercise in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic (T2DM), obese and hypertensive patients. The effect of the alcoholic extract of M-charantia was also investigated in cancer cell lines. The study had the relevant ethical clearance from the University of Guyana and University of Central Lancashire to undertake the study. Method: Fresh M-charantia fruits were purchased from local markets, washed and cut into small pieces and blended (without the seeds) in either water (volume/weight) or in 70% alcohol. The blended fruit juice with water was consumed (20g/ml) daily by either diabetic, obese or hypertensive patients (n=10 for each intervention) over 6 weeks. The blood glucose, weight and blood pressure were measured before the consumption of the juice, and then weekly after for 6 weeks. Daily exercise and diet modification were facilitated by either a professional sport scientist or a dietitian. Blood samples were taken prior to the consumption of the juice and 6 weeks later for analysis. For cancer study, cell lines were treated with different concentrations of the alcohol extract dissolved in DMSO in comparison to cisplatin for comparison. Data were analyzed using Student’ s t-test and presented as mean ± SEM. Results: The daily intake of M-charantia alone decreased fasting blood glucose level (FBGL (mg/dl)) significantly (p<0.05) in a time-dependent manner, like diet modification and daily exercise, M-charantia combined with diet modification and daily exercise and M-charantia combined with 60 mg daily of diamicron MR. After 6 weeks of treatment, FBGL decreased by 47.7%, 33.4%,50.6% and 50.7%, respectively for the 4 interventions compared to the start of each intervention. The effect of M-chatrantia on FBGL was dose-dependent. Likewise, M-charantia consumption, combined with daily exercise, can reduce body mass index (BMI) moderately, but significantly with blood pressure in a time-dependent manner, either with or without amlodipine (5 mg daily). M-charantia also decreased HbA1c, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, total lipids, and triglycerides (TGL) significantly (*p<0.05) after 6 weeks compared to week 1. HbA1c was reduced from 12.18+1.4 to 5.58+0.39* (%), FBGL from 200.6+11.20 to 125.8+11.20* (mg/dl), SBP from 200.60+ 11.20 to 125.8+11.20 mm Hg, DBP from 89.45+7.29* to 79,40+ 9.20* mm Hg, total lipids from 240.50+ 19.10 to 191.90+-9.20* (mg/dl) and TGL from 187.20+ 20.19 to 139.80 + 10.70* (mg/dl). Chemical analysis of M-charantia revealed that M-charantia is rich in cations including Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+, proteins (2.86+0.07 mg/100g), phenolic content (2.42+0.25 mg/100 g) and antioxidants, especially ceulic acid (6.23+0.60 ng/g). In cancer cell line studies, M-charantia alcoholic extract killed triple breast cancer cell lines compared with cisplatin, but not healthy breast cancer cell line. Conclusions: The results suggest that M-charantia can be used cost-effectively to treat diabetes, obesity, blood pressure and cancer.



Where applicable, experiments conform with Society ethical requirements.

Site search

Filter

Content Type