Abstract
Gac fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng) is a popular tropical fruit in southeast Asia. What is amazing is that its seeds (Momordicae Semen) and arils are traditional herbs with anti-tumor activity, and have protected human health for more than 1000 years. In recent years, its anti-tumor activity has received extensive attention and research. This manuscript summarized the chemical composition of saponins, fatty acids, volatile constituents, proteins, peptides, and other components from Momordicae Semen (MSE). The effect and mechanism of MSE and its extract on breast cancer, gastric cancer, lung cancer, esophagus cancer, melanomas, and human cervical epithelial carcinoma were discussed. In addition, its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other pharmacological effects were also analyzed. We hope that this review will provide new ideas for the treatment of cancer and other diseases, and become a reference for the further research into complementary and alternative medicine.
Highlights
Momordicae Semen (MSE) is the dry and mature seed bred in gac fruit
The effects of aqueous extracts and ethanol extracts of MSE on the growth of four different tissue-derived tumor cells in vitro were compared, and the results showed that aqueous extract can only inhibit the growth of B16-F1 cells weakly, but for the growth of the other three tumor cells, an effect can hardly be observed
Cytotoxicity assays were conducted to examine the effect of the peptides against four human cell lines, including colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT29), lung carcinoma cells (A549), melanoma cell line (MM96L), and a noncancerous control neonatal foreskin fibroblast cell line (NFF)
Summary
Momordicae Semen (MSE) is the dry and mature seed bred in gac fruit. In Vietnam, the red aril that surrounds the seeds of mature gac fruit is usually consumed in the traditional recipe Vietnamese “Xoi Gac” [4]. The fruit, especially aril, is rich in carotenoids, β-carotene, and lycopene [6], which can be used for the treatment of infantile rickets, xeroma, and night blindness, according to the traditional Vietnamese documents [7,8]. Molecules 2019, 24, x FOR PEER REVIEW carotenoids, β-carotene, and lycopene [6], which can be used for the treatment of infantile rickets, blindness, according to the traditional Vietnamese documents [7,8]. For the application and study of MSE are described
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