Momordica charantia reduces high‐fat‐diet‐associated oxidative stress in mouse brain

Abstract

Obesity‐associated increase in oxidative stress (OS) has been implicated in reduced cognition and brain function in rodents and humans. Ayurvedic medicine, Momordica charantia (bitter melon, BM) is traditionally used in the management of diabetes and its complications including neuropathies. We recently demonstrated that BM reduces weight gain, improves glucose and insulin tolerance and lowers plasma lipids in high‐fat‐diet (HFD) fed mice. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of BM on brain antioxidant enzymes in HFD fed mice. Female C57BL/6 mice were randomized into three groups: 1) control, 2) HFD (58% kcal fat), and 3) HFD + 1.5% lyophilized BMJ (W/V). After 16 weeks, brains were excised and analyzed for catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn‐SOD) and cytosolic copper/zinc‐superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn‐SOD) activities using commercial kits. HFD‐fed mice demonstrated an initial stress response with increased brain cytosolic Cu/Zn‐SOD activity with a concomitant reduction in GSH, CAT and GPx activities. Feeding of BMJ normalized Cu/Zn‐SOD, CAT and GPx activities in brains of HFD‐fed mice. These data indicate a role for dietary therapies in reducing HFD‐associated OS in brain. [Grants: NCCAM (R21AT003719), and RCMI, NCRR (G12RR/AI03061), NIH].