Background: Bitter melon (BM, Momordica charantia) has been accepted as an effective complementary treatment of metabolic disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and etc. However it is unclear whether BM can prevent the progression of atherosclerosis. To confirm the effects of BM on atherosclerosis and explore its underlying mechanisms, we design this study.
Methods: Twenty four male apolipoprotein E knock-out (ApoE-/-) mice aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into control group fed with high fat diet (HFD) only and BM group fed with HFD mixed with 1.2%w/w BM. After 16 weeks, body weight, food intake, blood glucose, serum lipids were measured and the atherosclerotic plaque area and its histological composition were analyzed. The expression of vascular cell adhesive molecules and inflammatory cytokines in the aortas were determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction.
Results: Body weight gain and serum triglycerides (TG) significantly decreased in BM group. BM reduced not only the atherosclerotic plaque area and the contents of collagen fibers in atherosclerotic plaques but also the serum soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and P-selectin levels, as well as the expressions of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and interleukin (IL)-6 in aortas.
Conclusion: Our study indicates that dietary BM can attenuate the development of atherosclerosis in ApoeE-/- mice possibly through reducing triglyceride and anti-inflammation mechanism.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12944-018-0896-0 | DOI Listing |
Histol Histopathol
December 2024
Department of Evaluation of Natural Resources, Environmental Studies and Research Institute, University of Sadat City, Egypt.
Cisplatin is an antineoplastic drug that exhibits toxicity dependent on dosage and has adverse reproductive effects. (Bitter melon) is a natural vegetable plant; its active ingredients possess antioxidant, apoptotic, antiproliferative, hypoglycemic, and other therapeutic properties. This study evaluates the effect of the administration of bitter melon extract, cisplatin, and cisplatin/bitter melon cotreatment on liver and kidney functions, serum and testicular oxidative status, testis histology, and sperm parameters.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFood Chem
January 2025
Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Institute of Life Science and Resources, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:
Effects of puffing and extraction method on physical and biological efficacy of bitter melon was investigated. Puffing increased the Maillard reaction products, extraction yield, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. Antioxidant activity was the highest at 980 kPa, but there was no significant difference between two extraction methods.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
January 2025
Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh.
The objective of this study was the develop of fortified cookies enriched with oats flour and bitter gourd powder and monitoring the effects of these enrichments on the physicochemical, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and sensory attributes. This study was subjected to four treatments: control (0% oats flour and bitter gourd powder), T1 (10% oats flour), T2 (3% bitter gourd powder), and T3 (7% oats flour and 3% bitter gourd powder). Various physical properties of the cookies, including weight, thickness, diameter, spread ratio, baking loss, pH, and color values (L*, a*, and b*), were measured.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGenes (Basel)
November 2024
College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
Background: Lipoxygenases (LOXs) are key enzymes in the unsaturated fatty acid oxidation reaction pathway and play an important regulatory role in the synthesis of fruit aroma volatiles.
Methods: gene family members were identified in the whole genome database of bitter gourd and analyzed bioinformatically. An RT-qPCR was used to analyze the expression differences in different tissues.
Cureus
December 2024
Department of Periodontology, Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of Dental Sciences, Chengalpet, IND.
Background Chronic periodontitis is primarily caused by various bacterial species present in the plaque biofilm, which trigger a host inflammatory response. This leads to the abnormal release of inflammatory mediators such as proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α), which are free radicals that cause alveolar bone resorption and tooth loss. (bitter gourd) is a widely used medicinal plant for the treatment of numerous diseases such as skin infections, diabetes, metabolic disorders, and carcinomas for several decades.
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