Abstract

We have previously reported that a crude extract from the bitter melon ( Momordica charantia) killed human leukemic lymphocytes in a dose-dependent manner while not affecting the viability of normal human lymphocyte cells at these same doses ( Takemoto et al., 1980). We now report that the crude preparation has both cytostatic and cytotoxic activities which are heat stable and trypsin-sensitive. Time and dose-response curves suggest that the factors act quickly, perhaps by entry into the cell. The effects of the crude extract are complete after only 2 hr of exposure. These activities are not due to the presence of the lectins from bitter melon seeds, as these purified proteins had no activity against human lymphocytic cells.

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