Article
Plant Sciences
Mahwish, Farhan Saeed, M. Tauseef Sultan, Ayesha Riaz, Sagheer Ahmed, Nicusor Bigiu, Ryszard Amarowicz, Rosana Manea
Summary: Natural products, such as bitter melon, are increasingly recognized for their potential in managing diabetes and improving health. Research has shown that bitter melon contains key bioactive components that can help control blood glucose levels and insulin secretion, particularly in hyperglycemic rats.
Article
Plant Sciences
Kai Sun, Meng Ding, Chaofan Fu, Pingya Li, Tao Li, Linlin Fang, Jing Xu, Yuqing Zhao
Summary: This study aims to explore the potential mechanism of action of wild bitter gourd extracts in preventing diabetes. The results show that the ethanol extract of wild bitter gourd has the best ability to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism. It effectively reduces blood glucose and lipid levels, alleviates glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, and inhibits oxidant responses and inflammatory damage. Mechanism studies suggest that it may act through the AMPK/PI3K signaling pathway. These findings are important for the utilization of wild bitter gourd as a dietary intervention strategy to prevent diabetes and related metabolic abnormalities.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yu Niu, Ting Zhang, Muxi Chen, Guoju Chen, Zhaohua Liu, Renbo Yu, Xu Han, Kunhao Chen, Aizheng Huang, Changming Chen, Yan Yang
Summary: The mitochondrial genome of bitter gourd was sequenced, revealing 24 core genes, 16 variable genes, 3 rRNAs, and 23 tRNAs. Additionally, 134 SSRs and 15 tandem repeats were identified. The study also predicted 447 potential RNA editing sites and found that the ccmFN gene was edited 38 times. This research provides a basis for understanding the evolution and inheritance patterns of mitochondrial genomes in the Cucurbitaceae family.
Article
Plant Sciences
Anzhen Fu, Yanyan Zheng, Jing Guo, Donald Grierson, Xiaoyan Zhao, Changlong Wen, Ye Liu, Jian Li, Xuewen Zhang, Ying Yu, Hong Ma, Qing Wang, Jinhua Zuo
Summary: This study successfully assembled a high-quality genome of Momordica charantia L. var. abbreviata Ser. (Mca), providing insights into the genetic variations involved in bitter gourd fruit quality and the evolutionary process of bitter gourd. It also contributes to the genetic research of bitter gourd by providing a new genetic resource.
HORTICULTURE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Horticulture
Haru Karube, Shota Suzuki, Norimichi Miyagi, Naoki Taniai, Mayuko Miyake, Kazuhiko Tarora, Naoya Urasaki, Hideo Matsumura
Summary: Sex ratio (the frequency of male or female flowers per plant) directly affects fruit yield in monoecious bitter gourds. This study identified QTL for sex ratio using QTL mapping and QTL-seq methods in F2 populations derived from gynoecious and monoecious plants. qFR5-2, located on chromosome 5, was the only QTL identified by both methods. Markers or genes associated with these sex ratio QTL will contribute to the development of stable fruit production in bitter gourd.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Yong Hoon Lee, Sun-Young Yoon, Jiyun Baek, Sung Jin Kim, Jae Sik Yu, Heesun Kang, Ki Sung Kang, Sang J. Chung, Ki Hyun Kim
Summary: Qualitative analysis using ultraperformance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry revealed 27 promising cucurbitane-type triterpenoids in bitter melon. Further chemical analysis led to the isolation and structural characterization of 22 cucurbitane-type triterpenoids, including 8 new triterpenoidal saponins. The compounds showed potential as antidiabetic agents, with 9 of them exhibiting significant inhibitory effects against PTPN2.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Awa Fanny Massounga Bora, Kouadio Jean Eric-Parfait Kouame, Xiaodong Li, Lu Liu, Yue Pan
Summary: The trend in infectious diseases and chronic disorders has led to increased consumer interest in functional foods. As a result, there has been a rapid growth in research on bioactive ingredients from plants like Momordica charantia (M. charantia), which has shown various health benefits including anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the specific bioactive compounds responsible for these benefits are not well understood. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent research progress on bioactives from M. charantia, with a focus on polysaccharides, proteins, and triterpenoids. The review discusses extraction methods, structural features, biological properties, and potential applications in the nutraceutical and food industries.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Dominique Reed, Dileep Kumar, Sushil Kumar, Komal Raina, Reenu Punia, Rama Kant, Laura Saba, Charmion Cruickshank-Quinn, Boris Tabakoff, Nichole Reisdorph, Michael G. Edwards, Michael Wempe, Chapla Agarwal, Rajesh Agarwal
Summary: BMJ intake induced positive changes in metabolism, enhancing glucose homeostasis, vitamin D metabolism and suppressing glycerophospholipid metabolism. In the liver, BMJ modulated PPAR and circadian rhythm signaling, as well as bile acid biosynthesis and glycogen metabolism targets, reducing susceptibility to high-fat diet associated MetS risk factors.
JOURNAL OF TRADITIONAL AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jinyi Zhan, Jian Zhong, Jiaowen Cheng, Yuhui Wang, Kailin Hu
Summary: In this study, the genetic basis of bitter gourd stigma color was investigated using bulked segregant analysis (BSA) sequencing. A dominant locus McSTC1 associated with yellow stigma color was identified and further fine mapping delimited the locus to a 13.87 kb region containing the McAPRR2 gene. Sequence alignment analysis revealed a 15 bp insertion in the McAPRR2 gene, resulting in a truncated GLK domain in the encoded protein, which was found in bitter gourd varieties with yellow stigma. This study provides insights into molecular marker-assisted breeding and gene regulation mechanisms underlying the stigma color of bitter gourd.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tintswalo Lindi Maselesele, Tumisi Beiri Jeremiah Molelekoa, Sefater Gbashi, Oluwafemi Ayodeji Adebo
Summary: A statistical comparison of grape juice, bitter gourd juice, and fermented bitter gourd-grape beverage was conducted to identify significant differences in their characteristics. The results showed significant variations in pH, antioxidant activity, total soluble solids, total titratable acidity, total flavonoid content, and total phenolic content.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Oktay Unsal, Osman Sutcuoglu, Ozan Yazici
Summary: This report describes a 65-year-old patient with renal cell carcinoma who was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of acute pancreatitis after 8 years of Pazopanib treatment. The patient had taken Bitter Melon extract prior to the onset of symptoms, and it is suggested that an interaction between Bitter Melon extract and Pazopanib may have led to acute pancreatitis.
JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY PHARMACY PRACTICE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Sumit Mishra, Ankit, Rakesh Sharma, Navdeep Gogna, Kavita Dorai
Summary: The study identified that Momordica charantia fruit's pericarp and seeds are rich in phenolic compounds and flavonoids, making them good sources of antioxidants. On the other hand, the skin contains a significant amount of phytosterols such as Charantin and momordicine, which are associated with anti-diabetic activity.
NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Le Sun, Xiaopo Zhang, Lin Dong, Caiyun Zhang, Peng Guo, Chongming Wu
Summary: Bitter gourd is a world-famous medical vegetable with various pharmacological activities, including lipid- and glucose-lowering effects. It is rich in triterpenes and saponins, showing promising biological effects such as anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory activities. Studies suggest that triterpenoids in bitter gourd could play a key role in mediating diverse biological effects and have the potential to be developed into new drugs.
JOURNAL OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Bukyung Kim, Hak Sung Lee, Hye-Jin Kim, Hyolynn Lee, In-young Lee, Soyoung Ock, Sukyoung Kwon, Sang-Soo Kang, Youngsik Choi
Summary: The study found that bitter melon extract can lower blood glucose levels in individuals with prediabetes by suppressing glucagon levels.
FOOD SCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Ze Fan, Jinnan Li, Di Wu, Chenhui Li, Dingchen Cao, Linghong Miao, Xianping Ge, Liansheng Wang
Summary: Supplementing Momordica charantia saponins (MCS) in a high-starch diet improved the growth performance and glucose homeostasis of common carp. A dose of 1600 mg/kg MCS showed the most effective improvement in growth parameters and blood glucose levels. MCS administration attenuated insulin resistance by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
AQUACULTURE REPORTS
(2022)