Bitter Melon Extract

Overview

Also called bitter gourd or bitter melon, Momordica charantia is used as a vegetable in India and Thailand. Its fruit extract improves glucose metabolism, protects the pancreas, slows carbohydrate absorption, and decreases gluconeogenesis (the production of glucose in the liver from non-carbohydrates substrates).?

Key Benefits

• Supports healthy blood lipids
• Supports healthy glucose levels
• Improves insulin resistance
• Protects and regenerates insulin-producing pancreas cells
• May reduce belly fat
• Inhibits viral activity
• Provides essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
• Helps maintain smooth skin

History of Usage

Bitter melon has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, and its fruit has been used as a vegetable for thousands of years. Its generic name “momordica” comes from the Latin word meaning to bite, which refers to the serrated edges that look like it has been bitten.?

Bitter melon is a traditional herbal medicine and possesses various pharmacological functions, namely antidiabetic, abortifacient, anthelmintic, contraceptive, antimalarial and laxative. It has been used for the treatment of dysmenorrhea, eczema, gout, jaundice, leprosy, piles, pneumonia, psoriasis, rheumatism and scabies.

In modern times, the separation and identification of bioactive components from the plant have attracted a lot of attention. Researchers suggest that clinical studies of the polysaccharides should be the focus of research in the long term.

Biochemistry

Bitter melon has a bitter taste, but it has numerous culinary and medicinal uses. It’s phytochemicals include: polysaccharides, flavonoids, triterpenes, saponins, ascorbic acid, and steroids. Various biological activities of?M. charantia?have been reported, such as antihyperglycemic, antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, immunomodulation, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anthelmintic, antimutagenic, antiulcer, antilipolytic, antifertility, hepatoprotective, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities.?

Bitter melon also contains a group of ribosome-inactivating proteins named alpha- and beta-momorcharin, momordin, and cucurbitacin B, as well as iron, beta carotene, calcium, potassium, B vitamins, vitamin C, phosphorus, and fiber.

In-vitro studies have confirmed that the proteins in bitter melon (α- and β-momorcharin) inhibit the HIV virus.?Its extract can also be used as a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent to fight off infections. These beneficial effects are attributed to its bioactive components, which are important sources of phytoconstituents used to treat various diseases since ancient times.

Although the plant is basically harmless under normal conditions, it may induce adverse reactions according to different uptakes, processing methods, physical differences, and other conditions. Since the 1960s, there have been reports of acute toxicity, chronic toxicity, and reproductive toxicity.

Recent Trends

Bitter melon is available in teas, juices, powders, salves, creams, tinctures, and capsules.?

Precautions

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take bitter melon.
• Bitter melon may cause diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain
• Individuals who take blood sugar-lowering medications should consult with a healthcare professional before taking bitter melon.

References

1. Jia S, Shen M, Zhang F, Xie J. Recent Advances in Momordica charantia: Functional Components and Biological Activities. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Nov 28;18(12):2555. doi: 10.3390/ijms18122555. PMID: 29182587; PMCID: PMC5751158.
2. Miura T, Itoh C, Iwamoto N, Kato M, Kawai M, Park SR, Suzuki I. "Hypoglycemic activity of the fruit of the Momordica charantia in type 2 diabetic mice."?J Nutr Sci Vitaminol?(Tokyo) 2001 Oct;47(5):340-4??
3. Ahmed I, Adeghate E, Sharma AK, Pallot DJ, Singh J. "Effects of Momordica charantia fruit juice on islet morphology in the pancreas of the streptozotocin-diabetic rat."?Diabetes Res Clin Pract?1998 Jun;40(3):145-51
4. Ahmed I, Lakhani MS, Gillett M, John A, Raza H. "Hypotriglyceridemic and hypocholesterolemic effects of anti-diabetic Momordica charantia (karela) fruit extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats."?Diabetes Res Clin Pract?2001 Mar;51(3):155-61
5. Ahmed I., Adeghate E., Sharma A.K., Pallot D.J., Singh J. Effects of?Momordica charantia?fruit juice on islet morphology in the pancreas of the streptozotocin-diabetic rat.?Diabetes Res. Clin. Pract.?1998;40:145–151. doi: 10.1016/S0168-8227(98)00022-9. 13. Matsuda M., DeFronzo R.A. Insulin sensitivity indices obtained from oral glucose tolerance testing: Comparison with the euglycemic insulin clamp.?Diabetes Care.?1999;22:1462–1470.?
6. Raza H., Ahmed I., John A., Sharma A.K. Modulation of xenobiotic metabolism and oxidative stress in chronic streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats fed with?Momordica charantia?fruit extract.?J. Biochem. Mol. Toxicol.?2000;14:131–139.
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8. Teoh S.L., Latiff A.A., Das S. The effect of topical extract of?Momordica charantia?(bitter gourd) on wound healing in nondiabetic rats and in rats with diabetes induced by streptozotocin.?Clin. Exp. Dermatol.?2009;34:815–822.?
9. Liu J.Q., Chen J.C., Wang C.F., Qiu M.H. New cucurbitane triterpenoids and steroidal glycoside from?Momordica charantia.?Molecules.?2009;14:4804–4813. doi: 10.3390/molecule
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11. Basch E., Gabardi S., Ulbricht C. Bitter melon (Momordica charantia): A review of efficacy and safety.?Am. J. Health-Syst. Pharm.?2003;60:356.
12. Raman A., Lau C. Anti-diabetic properties and phytochemistry of?Momordica charantia?L. (Cucurbitaceae)?Phytomedicine.?1996;2:349–362. doi: 10.1016/S0944-7113(96)80080-8.
13. Indian Council of Medical Research Task Force. Assessment of effects on health due to consumption of bitter bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) juice.?Indian J Med Res. 2012;135(1):49-55. doi:10.4103/0971-5916.93424
14. Leevutinun P, Krisadaphong P, Petsom A. Clinical evaluation of Gac extract (Momordica cochinchinensis) in an antiwrinkle cream formulation.?J Cosmet Sci.?2015 May-Jun;66(3):175-87. PMID: 26454905.