Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Many dietary plant products show promising anticancer effects. Bitter melon or bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) is a nutrient-rich medicinal plant cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of many countries. Traditionally, bitter melon is used as a folk medicine and contains many bioactive components including triterpenoids, triterpene glycoside, phenolic acids, flavonoids, lectins, sterols and proteins that show potential anticancer activity without significant side effects. The preventive and therapeutic effects of crude extract or isolated components are studied in cell line-based models and animal models of multiple types of cancer. In the present review, we summarize recent progress in testing the cancer preventive and therapeutic activity of bitter melon with a focus on underlying molecular mechanisms. The crude extract and its components prevent many types of cancers by enhancing reactive oxygen species generation; inhibiting cancer cell cycle, cell signaling, cancer stem cells, glucose and lipid metabolism, invasion, metastasis, hypoxia, and angiogenesis; inducing apoptosis and autophagy cell death, and enhancing the immune defense. Thus, bitter melon may serve as a promising cancer preventive and therapeutic agent.
Highlights
Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation achieved by dynamic changes in the nuclear genome [1,2,3]
We have focused on updated information for bitter melon (Momordica charantia) on cancer prevention and therapy and its underlying mechanisms
The α-eleostearic acid isolated from ethanol extraction of seed inhibits proliferation of leukemia cell lines ED and Su9T01, whereas a minimal effect was reported on peripheral blood mononuclear cells [21]
Summary
Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation achieved by dynamic changes in the nuclear genome [1,2,3]. In the case of targeted therapy, over the years more potent agents have been developed with less toxic effects, proper dosing and combination treatment protocols. These methods exert side effects, are sometimes expensive and one of the main problems is the eventual resistance of cancer cells to treatment [7]. A recent WHO report suggested that around 80% of the world population uses traditional herbal medicine for primary healthcare needs [8]. Several epidemiological studies suggest important roles of fruits and vegetables in reducing cancer risk [9] This could be due to the cumulative effect of many bioactive phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals, proteins and fibers in the fruits and vegetables. This review has wide implications for the management of disease that may help in progression towards clinical studies
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