Studies of dietary phytoestrogen from momordica charantia Linn. Seeds / Estudios de fitoestrógeno en la dieta a partir de semillas de momordica charantia Linn

Phytoestrogens are secondary plant metabolites produced by plants that are similar in structure of estrogen. Human consumption of these compounds has been associated with many health benefits. In this study, we investigated the potential phytoestrogen content of dietary Momordica charantia Linn. (Bitter melon) seeds were collected from the Hyderabad-Karnataka regions of India. A phenolic dietary phytoestrogen has been isolated from the crude ethanol extract of Bitter melonseeds. After preparative HPLC whitish amorphous compound was yielded. The HPLC purified compound is subjected to spectral analysis using IR, NMR and MS. The spectral data revealed that the phenolphthalein a phytoestrogenic molecule is present in the ethanol extract of dietary Bitter melonseeds.

Los fitoestrógenos son metabolitos vegetales secundarios, producidos por plantas que tienen una estructura similar al estrógeno. El consumo humano de estos compuestos se ha asociado con muchos beneficios para la salud. En este estudio, investigamos el contenido potencial de fitoestrógenos de Momordica charantia Linn en la dieta. Se recolectaron semillas (melón amargo) de las regiones de Hyderabad-Karnataka de la India. Se ha aislado un fitoestrógeno dietético fenólico del extracto de etanol crudo de semillas de melón amargo. Después de HPLC preparativa, se obtuvo un compuesto amorfo blanquecino. El compuesto purificado por HPLC se somete a análisis espectral usando IR, NMR y MS. Los datos espectrales revelaron que la fenolftaleína, una molécula fitoestrogénica, está presente en el extracto etanólico de las semillas de melón amargo en la dieta.

Minerals and phytochemical analysis of bitter melon fruits and its components in some indigenous and exotic cultivars / Análise fitoquímica e de minerais de frutos de melão amargo e seus componentes em alguns cultivares indígenas e exóticos

The present study was designed to compare the mineral contents and phytochemicals in fruits of some indigenous and exoticbitter melon cultivars. Skin, flesh, seeds and whole fruit of each cultivar were dried at room temperature and ground to fine powder which was packed separately in air-tight plastic jars for analysis. The data revealed that all the cultivars possessed appreciable amount of minerals. Indigenous cultivars possessed higher mineral contents than the exotic cultivars. Black King was found to be desirable cultivar with high amount of potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc with values of 258.83, 92.92, 46.74, 48.42, 3.90 and 1.78 mg/100g, respectively. Among fruit parts, flesh portion was rich in potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium and calcium followed by skin and seed. The seeds possessed relatively high amount of iron (4.44 mg/100g) and zinc (2.80 mg/100g). On the whole, flesh part of Black King is predominated in mineral profile while least quantity was observed in the seeds of Noor. All the cultivars possessed same types of phytochemicals although may vary in their abundance. Phenols, flavanoids, saponins and ascorbic acid were present in abundance in skin and flesh while seeds were found rich in alkaloids and glycoalkaloid. The variations in the chemical composition in fruit and components due to changes in agro-climatic conditions suggest that there is scope for developing cultivars to be grown in wide range of agronomic, climatic and geographic conditions with no effect on its nutrient and phytochemical profile.

O presente estudo foi projetado para comparar os teores de minerais e fitoquímicos em frutos de alguns cultivares indígenas e exóticos de melão amargo. Casca, polpa, sementes e frutos inteiros de cada cultivar foram secos à temperatura ambiente e moídos até obter-se um pó fino que foi embalado separadamente em frascos de plástico hermeticamente fechados para análise. Os dados revelaram que todos os cultivares possuíam quantidade apreciável de minerais. Cultivares indígenas possuíam maior conteúdo mineral que os cultivares exóticos. Descobriu-se que o Black King foi o cultivar desejável com alta quantidade de potássio, fósforo, magnésio, cálcio, ferro e zinco com valores de 258.83, 92.92, 46.74, 48.42, 3.90 e 1.78 mg/100g, respectivamente. Entre as partes das frutas, a polpa era mais rica em potássio, fósforo, magnésio, sódio e cálcio, seguida pela casca e pela semente. As sementes possuíam quantidades relativamente elevadas de ferro (4.44 mg/100g) e zinco (2.80 mg/100g). No geral, na polpa do Black King predomina o perfil mineral, enquanto uma menor quantidade foi observada nas sementes de Noor. Todos os cultivares possuíam os mesmos tipos de fitoquímicos, embora possam variar em sua abundância. Fenóis, flavonóides, saponinas e ácido ascórbico estavam presentes em abundância na casca e na polpa enquanto as sementes eram ricas em alcalóides e glicoalcalóides. As variações na composição química de frutos e componentes devido a mudanças nas condições agroclimáticas sugerem que há espaço para o desenvolvimento de cultivares a serem cultivadas em ampla escala de condições agronômicas, climáticas e geográficas, sem efeito no seu perfil nutricional e fitoquímico.

Comparison of antioxidant capacity and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity betweenbitter melon (Momordica charanti) fruit and leaf extract

Objective: To compare the physiologically active substances, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities in vitro of bitter melon fruit and leaf extract. Methods: Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were measured using spectrophotometrically by gallic acid and catechin standard curves, respectively. The radical-scavenging potential of bitter melon fruit and leaf extract were measured by DPPH, ABTS and hydroxyl radical scavenging ability and reducing power and anti-diabetic ability was evaluated by α-glucosidase activity. Results: It was confirmed that the bitter melon leaf contained more total polyphenols and flavonoids than bitter melon fruits. Bitter melon leaf extract contained 2.8-fold and 4.9-fold higher total polyphenols and flavonoids than bitter melon fruits, respectively. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of bitter melon leaf was 5.81- and 5.70-fold higher than that of the bitter melon frui, based on 200 μg/mL and 400 μg/mL of the extract, respectively. In ABTS, hydroxyl radical scavenging ability and reducing power, the bitter melon leaf extract all showed higher antioxidant capacity than the bitter melon fruit. Bitter melon fruit showed 2.52- and 2.63-fold higher α-glucosidase inhibitory activity than bitter melon leaf extract at 200 μg/mL and 400 μg/mL, respectively.Conclusions: Based on our results, bitter melon may improve antidiabetic effects by upreguating α-glycosidase activity. Even, bitter melon leaf extract shows higher antioxidant potential than its fruit but bitter melon leaf extract does not show higher α-glucosidase inhibitory potential than bitter melon fruit. The overall results support that bitter melon fruit and leaf may have specific target effects on antidiabetic and antioxidant, respectively.

Comparison of antioxidant capacity and α -glucosidase inhibitory activity between bitter melon (Momordica charanti) fruit and leaf extract

Objective: To compare the physiologically active substances, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities in vitro of bitter melon fruit and leaf extract. Methods: Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were measured using spectrophotometrically by gallic acid and catechin standard curves, respectively. The radical-scavenging potential of bitter melon fruit and leaf extract were measured by DPPH, ABTS and hydroxyl radical scavenging ability and reducing power and anti-diabetic ability was evaluated by α -glucosidase activity. Results: It was confirmed that the bitter melon leaf contained more total polyphenols and flavonoids than bitter melon fruits. Bitter melon leaf extract contained 2.8-fold and 4.9-fold higher total polyphenols and flavonoids than bitter melon fruits, respectively. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of bitter melon leaf was 5.81- and 5.70-fold higher than that of the bitter melon frui, based on 200 μg/mL and 400 μg/mL of the extract, respectively. In ABTS, hydroxyl radical scavenging ability and reducing power, the bitter melon leaf extract all showed higher antioxidant capacity than the bitter melon fruit. Bitter melon fruit showed 2.52- and 2.63-fold higher α -glucosidase inhibitory activity than bitter melon leaf extract at 200 μg/mL and 400 μg/mL, respectively. Conclusions: Based on our results, bitter melon may improve antidiabetic effects by upreguating α -glycosidase activity. Even, bitter melon leaf extract shows higher antioxidant potential than its fruit but bitter melon leaf extract does not show higher α -glucosidase inhibitory potential than bitter melon fruit. The overall results support that bitter melon fruit and leaf may have specific target effects on antidiabetic and antioxidant, respectively.

Bitter melon: a panacea for inflammation and cancer / 中国天然药物

Nature is a rich source of medicinal plants and their products that are useful for treatment of various diseases and disorders. Momordica charantia, commonly known as bitter melon or bitter gourd, is one of such plants known for its biological activities used in traditional system of medicines. This plant is cultivated in all over the world, including tropical areas of Asia, Amazon, east Africa, and the Caribbean and used as a vegetable as well as folk medicine. All parts of the plant, including the fruit, are commonly consumed and cooked with different vegetables, stir-fried, stuffed or used in small quantities in soups or beans to give a slightly bitter flavor and taste. The plant is reported to possess anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial, anti-obesity, and immunomodulatory activities. The plant extract inhibits cancer cell growth by inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, autophagy and inhibiting cancer stem cells. The plant is rich in bioactive chemical constituents like cucurbitane type triterpenoids, triterpene glycosides, phenolic acids, flavonoids, essential oils, saponins, fatty acids, and proteins. Some of the isolated compounds (Kuguacin J, Karaviloside XI, Kuguaglycoside C, Momordicoside Q-U, Charantin, α-eleostearic acid) and proteins (α-Momorcharin, RNase MC2, MAP30) possess potent biological activity. In the present review, we are summarizing the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities of Momordica charantia along with a short account of important chemical constituents, providing a basis for establishing detail biological activities of the plant and developing novel drug molecules based on the active chemical constituents.

Superação de dormência das sementese controle químico de plantas de Momordicacharantia L / Overcoming dormancy seeds and chemical control of Momordicacharantia L. plants

Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar diferentes métodos para a superação da dormência das sementes e a eficiência de herbicidas no controle químico de plantas de Momordicacharantia L. no estádio reprodutivo. O primeiro experimento constituiu-seem esquema fatorial 2 x 8 (duas épocas de coleta das sementes (2006 e 2007) e oito métodos de quebra de dormência: escarificação mecânica; imersão em ácido sulfúrico concentrado e a 50%; imersão em nitrato de potássio a 2%por três e seis horas; calor seco a 60°C; água quente a 60°C e uma testemunha sem tratamento). No segundo ensaio avaliou-se o controle da Momordicacharantia L. por meio de seis herbicidas distintos: Imazapic, Metsulfuron-methyl, Metribuzin, 2,4-D, Amicarbazone, Paraquat e uma testemunha sem aplicação de herbicidas. Em ambos os ensaios, o delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizados, com quatro repetições. Após a aplicação dos tratamentos,pode-se concluir que a imersão das sementes em ácido sulfúrico concentrado por 3 minutos proporcionouuma maior porcentagem e velocidade de germinação e que o herbicida Metribuzin alcançou, embora tardiamente, um controle total das plantas de melão de São-Caetano.p

This experiment were performed to evaluate methods of seeds scarification for overcoming dormancy and the efficacy of six herbicides registered for sugarcane to control adult plants of Mcharantia. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replications in both trials. The first trial is a factorial 2x8 (two times of seeds collection (2006 and 2007) with eight methods of breaking dormancy (mechanical scarification; 100% and 50% concentrated sulfuric acid; 2% potassium nitrate for three and six hours; heat dried at 60ºC; hot water at 60ºC and an untreated control).In the second trial evaluated the control of M. charantia through six different herbicides: Imazapic, Metsulfuron-methyl, Metribuzin, 2,4-D, Amicarbazone, Paraquat and a control without herbicide application. Thus, it can be concluded that the seeds were immersed in concentrated sulfuric acid for three minutes and potassium nitrate for three hours gave a higher percentage and germination speed and the herbicide Metribuzin reached, albeit belatedly, a total control of M. charantia.

Atividade antifúngica de extratos de Momordica charantia L. sobre Colletotrichum musae / Antifungal activity of Momordica charantia L. extracts against Colletotrichum musae

Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram avaliar os efeitos de extratos de Momordica charantia sobre o crescimento micelial e a germinação de conídios de Colletotrichum musae, e a eficiência destes extratos no controle da antracnose, causada por C. musae, em bananas. Extratos aquoso e hidroetanólico, obtidos de folhas e ramos, na concentração de 50 por cento em relação ao volume adicionado, em meio sólido, proporcionaram 71 e 65 por cento de inibição do crescimento micelial, respectivamente, enquanto que em meio líquido, a inibição do crescimento micelial foi de 86 e 81 por cento, respectivamente. Somente o extrato aquoso e o tiofanato metílico, nas concentrações de 50 por cento e 1000 µg mL-1 respectivamente, proporcionaram 100 por cento de inibição da germinação de esporos de C. musae. Os extratos metanólico e aquoso inibiram em 80 e 70 por cento, respectivamente, o desenvolvimento das lesões em bananas, quando aplicados até dois dias antes da inoculação do fungo. Estes resultados foram semelhantes ao tratamento com tiofanato metílico, que inibiu 80 por cento do desenvolvimento das lesões. Confirma-se a presença de substância antifúngica nos extratos de M. charantia e outros estudos devem ser realizados para viabilizar seu uso no controle da antracnose da banana.

The aims of the present work were to evaluate the effects of Momordica charantia extracts on mycelial growth and conidial germination of Colletotrichum musae, as well as the efficiency of these extracts in controlling anthracnose caused by C. musae in bananas. Water and hydroethanol extracts were obtained from leaves and branches at 50 percent concentration relative to the added volume. In solid medium, extracts led to 71 and 65 percent mycelial growth inhibition, respectively, whereas in liquid medium the mycelial growth was inhibited at 86 and 81 percent, respectively. Only water extract and thiophanate-methyl, at 50 percent and 1000 µg mL-1, respectively, resulted in 100 percent inhibition of C. musae spore germination. Methanol and water extracts inhibited by 80 and 70 percent, respectively, the development of lesions in bananas when applied until two days before fungal inoculation. These results were similar to those of the treatment with thiophanate-methyl, which inhibited 80 percent development of lesions. The presence of antifungal substance was confirmed in M. charantia extracts. Future studies must be performed to make its use viable for the control of anthracnose in bananas.

Cancer Chemoprevention by Food Components: Colon Cancer Chemoprevention by Seed Oils Rich in Conjugated Linolenic Acid / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

Cancer chemoprevention utilizing food components is attracted because of its easily availability in humans. Bitter melon (<i>Momordica charantia</i>) (BMO) and pomegranate (<i>Punica granatum</i> L.) (PGO) seed oils contain a large amount of conjugated linolenic acid (CLN). In the first we demonstrated that BMO inhibits the development of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced putative precursor lesions for colonic adenocarcinoma in rats. Subsequently, we investigated the modifying effects of dietary administration of BMO or PGO on the development of colonic neoplasms using an animal colon carcinogenesis model initiated with a colon carcinogen AOM. Male F344 rats were given two weekly subcutaneous injections of AOM (20 mg/kg body weight) to induce colonic neoplasms. They were fed with the diets containing 0.01%, 0.1% and 1% BMO or PGO during the entire experimental period (for 32 weeks), starting one week before the first dosing of AOM. At the end of the study, the incidence and multiplicity of colonic adenocarcinoma were reduced in the "AOM+BMO" and "AOM+PGO" groups, when compared with the "gAOM alone" group. The contents of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA: 9<i>c</i>,11<i>t</i>-18:2) in the liver and colonic mucosa of rats fed BMO or PGO were elevated in a dose-dependent manner. Also, dietary BMO or PGO enhanced expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ protein in the colonic mucosa. These findings may suggest that BMO or PGO rich in CLN can suppress AOM-induced colon carcinogenesis through the modification of lipid composition in the colon and liver and/or increased expression of PPARγ protein level in the colon mucosa. Our results might provide scientific evidence of an effective dietary chemopreventive approach using BMO and PGO seed oils rich in CLN to cancer chemoprevention, especially colon cancer development.<br>