Bitter Melon Research
42 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 8/10
The effects of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) on anthropometric indices in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Zou Y et al. • Prostaglandins & other lipid mediators (2024)
All rights reserved.
- There was no significant impact of bitter melon supplementation on BW, BMI, WC, and PBF.
- More large-scale and high-quality RCTs are necessary to confirm these results.Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc.
- All rights reserved.
Bitter melon for type 2 diabetes: systematic review
Peter EL et al. • Nutrition Reviews (2019)
Bitter melon showed significant effects on glycemic control in some but not all studies.
- Reduced fasting glucose in some studies
- Modest HbA1c improvements
- More quality trials needed
The role of selected nutraceuticals in management of prediabetes and diabetes: An updated review of the literature. Part II
Derosa G et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2024)
Phytotherapy Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Further studies are also required for Cinnamomum, Cynara scolymus, Momordica charantia, Olea europaea, and Opuntia streptacantha.
- Moreover, well-designed large and long-term clinical trials including the use of standardized nutraceutical preparations are necessary for Phaseolus vulgaris and Vaccinium myrtillus.© 2024 The Author(s).
- Phytotherapy Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Pharmacotherapeutic Potential of Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia) in Age-related Neurological Diseases
Adarmanabadi SMHH et al. • Journal of integrative neuroscience (2024)
Published by IMR Press.
- Furthermore, this substance can lower serum cholesterol and has multi-target activity in AD and memory loss.
- M. charantia can also improve memory by decreasing tau protein and it also has potent antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects.
- This review highlights that M. charantia has effects on many age-related neurological disorders, and can be a cost-effective supplement with minimal side effects.© 2024 The Author(s).
Mexican Plants Involved in Glucose Homeostasis and Body Weight Control: Systematic Review
Torres-Vanda M et al. • Nutrients (2023)
Both in vivo and in vitro studies are required to understand the mechanism of action of these plant extracts regarding insulin secretion to be used as a possible treatment for type 2 diabetes and body weight control in the future.
- Both in vivo and in vitro studies are required to understand the mechanism of action of these plant extracts regarding insulin secretion to be used as a possible treatment for type 2 diabetes and body weight control in the future.
- Published in Nutrients (2023)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
The Management of Diabetes Mellitus Using Medicinal Plants and Vitamins
Yedjou CG et al. • International journal of molecular sciences (2023)
This review paper aims at addressing this knowledge gap by studying DM and highlighting the biomedical significance of the most potent medicinal plants and vitamins with hypoglycemic properties that show a great potential to prevent and/or treat DM.
- Results of numerous scientific investigations revealed that phytochemicals present in medicinal plants (Allium sativum, Momordica charantia, Hibiscus sabdariffa L., and Zingiber officinale) possess anti-hypoglycemic activities and show promise for the prevention and/or control of DM.
- Results also revealed that intake of vitamins C, D, E, or their combination improves the health of diabetes patients by reducing blood glucose, inflammation, lipid peroxidation, and blood pressure levels.
- However, very limited studies have addressed the health benefits of medicinal plants and vitamins as chemo-therapeutic/preventive agents for the management of DM.
The Role of Bitter Melon in Breast and Gynecological Cancer Prevention and Therapy
Psilopatis I et al. • International journal of molecular sciences (2023)
The current work constitutes the most comprehensive, up-to-date review of the literature, which highlights the promising anticancer effects of bitter melon on breast, ovarian, and cervical cancer cells and discusses future research recommendations.
- Phytotherapy has long represented a widely accepted treatment alternative to conventional therapy.
- Bitter melon is a vine with potent antitumor effects against numerous cancer entities.
- To date, no review article has, however, been published on the role of bitter melon in breast and gynecological cancer prevention and therapy.
Promising traditional Indian medicinal plants for the management of novel Coronavirus disease: A systematic review
Singh RS et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2021)
The study identified some important potential traditional Indian medicinal herbs such as Ocimum tenuiflorum, Tinospora cordifolia, Achyranthes bidentata, Cinnamomum cassia, Cydonia oblonga, Embelin ribes, Justicia adhatoda, Momordica charantia, Withania somnifera, Zingiber officinale, Camphor, and Kabusura kudineer, which could be used in therapeutic strategies against SARS-CoV-2 infection.© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- A total of 22 relevant traditional Indian medicinal plants (35 relevant studies) were included in the current study having potential antiviral properties against virus-induced respiratory illness along with promising immunomodulatory and thrombolytic properties.
- Further, 36 randomized and nonrandomized registered clinical trials were also included that were aimed at evaluating the efficacy of herbal plants or their formulations in COVID-19 management.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Momordica charantia for type 2 diabetes mellitus
Ooi CP et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2012)
There is insufficient evidence on the effects of momordica charantia for type 2 diabetes mellitus.
- There was no statistically significant difference in the glycaemic control with momordica charantia preparations compared to placebo.
- There is insufficient evidence on the effects of momordica charantia for type 2 diabetes mellitus.
- Further studies are therefore required to address the issues of standardization and the quality control of preparations.
Healing of diabetic foot ulcer with topical and oral administrations of herbal products: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Zamanifard M et al. • International wound journal (2024)
International Wound Journal published by Medicalhelplines.com Inc and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Also, daily use of the bitter melon leaf extract in oral form for 28 days significantly increased the total ulcer healing score (2 RCTs; WMD = 0.40; p = 0.001).
- Additionally, based on qualitative synthesis, the adjuvant use of herbal agents seems an intriguing choice to manage DFU.
- Nonetheless, considering the undesirable methodological quality of most studies and the high heterogeneity in administered herbal formulations, more robust trials are required to build a solid conclusion regarding the use of herbal products for healing DFU.© 2024 The Authors.
Momordica charantia Bioactive Components: Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Benefits Through Gut Health Modulation
Xiao X et al. • Journal of medicinal food (2024)
As a result, this review will serve as a theoretical basis for potential applications in the creation or modification of MC-based nutrient supplements.
- This review offers an up-to-date overview of the recently reported chemical compositions of MC, including polysaccharides, saponins, polyphenolics, peptides, and their beneficial effects.
- It also provides the latest updates on the role of MC in the regulation of gut microbiota and bitter taste receptor signaling pathways.
- As a result, this review will serve as a theoretical basis for potential applications in the creation or modification of MC-based nutrient supplements.
Bioactives of Momordica charantia as Potential Anti-Diabetic/Hypoglycemic Agents
Xu B et al. • Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2022)
Moreover, the clinical application of M. charantia in treating diabetes mellitus is also discussed, hoping to broaden the application of M. charantia as functional food.
- Functional ingredients of M. charantia play important roles in body health and human nutrition, which can be used directly or indirectly in treating or preventing hyperglycemia-related chronic diseases in humans.
- The hypoglycemic effects of M. charantia have been known for years.
- In this paper, the research progress of M. charantia phytobioactives and their hypoglycemic effects and related mechanisms, especially relating to diabetes mellitus, has been reviewed.
Clinical trials with plants in diabetes mellitus therapy: a systematic review
Marmitt DJ et al. • Expert review of clinical pharmacology (2021)
Thus, we speculate that the Clinical Pharmacology should explore the field of plant-based compounds that will keep concentrating the attention of researchers, and therefore, we gathered studies in advanced stages that highlight the role of plants in the diabetes therapy.
- Systematic review examining Bitter Melon efficacy
- Published in Expert review of clinical pharmacology (2021)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Ethnomedicinal Plants for the Management of Diabetes Worldwide: A Systematic Review
Aumeeruddy MZ et al. • Current medicinal chemistry (2021)
This review is the first to provide a compiled list of traditional medicinal plants used worldwide against diabetes.
- This review is the first to provide a compiled list of traditional medicinal plants used worldwide against diabetes.
- Published in Current medicinal chemistry (2021)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Momordica Charantia: A Review of Its Effects on Metabolic Diseases and Mechanisms of Action
Cortez-Navarrete M et al. • Journal of medicinal food (2021)
This study aims to review the metabolic effects of MC reported in clinical trials as well as its mechanisms of action.
- The search for safe and effective complementary and alternative therapies to treat metabolic disorders is a key field of research.
- Momordica charantia (MC) is a tropical and subtropical vine of the Cucurbitaceae family used as a medicinal plant since ancient times.
- Although MC has been widely studied for its hypoglycemic potential, hypolipidemic and antiobesity effects have also been reported in preclinical studies and clinical trials.
Emerging Antitumor Activities of the Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)
Fang EF et al. • Current protein & peptide science (2019)
Further mechanistic studies as well as clinical trials are necessary to further verify its medicinal applications.Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.
- Bitter melon or bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) is a common vegetable in Asia and it is distinctive for its bitter taste.
- As an ingredient in folk medicine, research from different laboratories in recent years supports its potential medicinal applications with anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, anti-HIV activities in both in vitro and animal studies.
- In this short review, we summarize herein the recent progress in the antitumor aspect of bitter melon with a focus on the underlying molecular mechanisms.
Momordica charantia L. lowers elevated glycaemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Peter EL et al. • Journal of ethnopharmacology (2019)
M. charantia adjunct preparations improved glycemic control in T2DM patients.
- M. charantia adjunct preparations improved glycemic control in T2DM patients.
- However, this conclusion is based on low to very low quality evidences for the primary outcomes and sparse data for several safety outcomes, thus, warrant further research.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
The Role of Momordica charantia in Resisting Obesity
Fan M et al. • International journal of environmental research and public health (2019)
Although further research is necessary to explore various issues, this review establishes the therapeutic potential of M. charantia and it is highly promising candidate for the development of anti-obesity health products and medicines.
- The major bioactive components that showed anti-obesity activities included proteins, triterpenoids, saponins, phenolics, and conjugated linolenic acids.
- Their mechanisms included inhibition of fat synthesis, promotion of glucose utilization, and stimulation of auxiliary lipid-lowering activity.
- Finally, we summarized the risks of excessive consumption of M. charantia and the application.
Momordica charantia: a popular health-promoting vegetable with multifunctionality
Wang S et al. • Food & function (2017)
In this review, we aim to provide an overview of M. charantia and its benefits for development as a functional food.
- The anti-diabetic properties involve inhibiting intestinal α-glucosidase and glucose transport, protecting islet β-cells, enhancing insulin secretion, increasing hepatic glucose disposal, decreasing gluconeogenesis, and even ameliorating insulin resistance.
- Moreover, the expressions of PPARs could also be activated and up-regulated.
- Meanwhile, its anticancer properties are mostly due to apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and expression of serum factors associated with immunity.
Bitter melon: a panacea for inflammation and cancer
Dandawate PR et al. • Chinese journal of natural medicines (2016)
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- Some of the isolated compounds (Kuguacin J, Karaviloside XI, Kuguaglycoside C, Momordicoside Q-U, Charantin, α-eleostearic acid) and proteins (α-Momorcharin, RNase MC2, MAP30) possess potent biological activity.
- Published by Elsevier B.V.
- All rights reserved.