Emerging Potential of Momordica’s Bioactive Phytochemicals in Cancer Prevention and Therapy

Abstract

Worldwide, cancer incidence and mortality are rising quickly. Cancer remains the biggest cause of death despite advances in therapy. Plants produce bioactive phytochemicals, and as a result, the bioactive elements have long been the focus of cancer research, both for medication discovery and for the discovery of alternative chemo-preventive methods. The medicinal plant Momordica charantia or bitter melon contains a wide variety of phytochemicals, such as triterpenoids, triterpene glycosides, phenolic acids, flavonoids, lectins, sterols, and proteins. In many pre-clinical systems, the Momordica charantia extract exhibits an anti-cancer action against various malignancies. The bioactive components of the extract play a significant role in its anti-cancer properties. With an emphasis on underlying molecular pathways, we address the roles of Momordica's known bioactive components in several cancer models in this review. Through the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and induction of cell death, several of active ingredients exhibit cancer prevention and therapeutic effects, at least in in-vitro models. Mechanistically examining the active components in pre-clinical systems may reveal a novel approach to cancer treatment.