Exploring the mechanism of action bitter melon in the treatment ofbreast cancer by network pharmacology

BACKGROUND Bitter melon has been used to stop the growth of breast cancer(BRCA)cells.However,the underlying mechanism is still unclear.AIM To predict the therapeutic effect of bitter melon against BRCA using network pharmacology and to explore the underlying pharmacological mechanisms.METHODS The active ingredients of bitter melon and the related protein targets were taken from the Indian Medicinal Plants,Phytochemistry and Therapeutics and SuperPred databases,respectively.The GeneCards database has been searched for BRCA-related targets.Through an intersection of the drug’s targets and the disease’s objectives,prospective bitter melon anti-BRCA targets were discovered.Gene ontology and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analyses were carried out to comprehend the biological roles of the target proteins.The binding relationship between bitter melon’s active ingredients and the suggested target proteins was verified using molecular docking techniques.RESULTS Three key substances,momordicoside K,kaempferol,and quercetin,were identified as being important in mediating the putative anti-BRCA effects of bitter melon through the active ingredient-anti-BRCA target network study.Heat shock protein 90 AA,proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase,and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 were found to be the top three proteins in the proteinprotein interaction network study.The several pathways implicated in the anti-BRCA strategy for an active component include phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling,transcriptional dysregulation,axon guidance,calcium signaling,focal adhesion,janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling,cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling,mammalian CONCLUSION Overall,the integration of network pharmacology,molecular docking,and functional enrichment analyses shed light on potential mechanisms underlying bitter melon’s ability to fight BRCA,implicating active ingredients and protein targets,as well as highlighting the major signaling pathways that may be altered by this natural product for therapeutic benefit.

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

Objective:To compare the physiologically active substances,antioxidant and anti diabetic 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 byα-glucosidase activity.Results:It was confirmed that the bitter melon leaf contained more total polyphenols and flavonoidsthan 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 higherthan that of the bitter melon frui,based on200μg/mL and 400μg/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 higherα-glucosidase inhibitory activity than bitter melon leaf extract at 200μg/mL and 400μg/mL,respectively.Conclusions:Based on our results,bitter melon may improve antidiabetic effects by upreguatingα-glycosidase activity.Even,bitter melon leaf extract shows higher antioxidant potential than its fruit but bitter melon leaf extract does not show higherα-glucosidase inhibitory potential than bitter melon fruit.The overall results support that bitter melon fruit and leaf may have specific torget effects on antidiabetic and antioxidant,respectively.

Bitter Melon Powder Protects against Obesity-associated Fatty Liver Disease by Improving Colonic Microenvironment in Rats with High-fat Diet-induced Obesity

This study explored how bitter melon powder （BMP） alters the colonic microenvironment during the development of obesity-associated fatty liver in rats. We observed that BMP effectively inhibited the body weight gain and lipid accumulation in the liver, ameliorated glucose intolerance, and increased the colon weight after an 8-week treatment compared to that in the high-fat diet （HFD） group. BMP significantly decreased fecal water toxicity towards HT-29 cells, as revealed by the cell counting kit （CCK）-8 assay results, and the mRNA expression of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） in colon mucosa. Additionally, gut permeability in the BMP group was restored to normal levels. Finally, BMP alleviated the inflammatory state of the rat colon mucosa and liver tissues as well as the systemic inflammation.

Extraction of Flavonoids from Bitter Melon

Bitter melon, Momordica charantia L, is a popular traditional medicinal fruit in tropical and subtropical countries. It has been linked with therapeutic effects, some of which are likely due to its flavonoids. To determine its total flavonoid content (TFC) and to prepare extracts for use as nutritional supplements or ingredients for nutraceutical functional foods, various solvents have been used, including water, which is the preferred solvent because it is inexpensive, safe and environmentally friendly. The study aimed to extract bitter melon, using five solvents (ethanol, methanol, n-butanol, acetone and water) before and after the optimal conditions for water were determined in terms of extraction temperature, time, ratio of water to bitter melon (mL/g) and number of times the same material was extracted. The TFC of six varieties of bitter melon was also determined. Acetone was the best of the five solvents for extracting flavonoids from the Moonlight variety (23.2 mg Rutin Equivalents (RE)/g). Even after increasing the extraction by 88% (1.24 vs 0.66 mg RE/g) using optimised conditions for the aqueous extraction (two extractions at 40℃ for 15 min at a ratio of 100:1 mL/g of bitter melon powder), the flavonoids extracted from the Moonlight variety using water was very little (5.4%) compared to acetone. Furthermore, using acetone, it was shown that the Moonlight variety (23.2 mg RE/g) bought at a local market had higher levels of flavonoids than the greenhouse-grown Jade (15.3 mg RE/g), Niddhi (16.9 mg RE/g), Indra (15.0 mg RE/ g), Hanuman (3.9 mg RE/g) and White (6.9 mg RE/g) varieties. Therefore, acetone was the best solvent for extracting flavonoids from bitter melon and the aqueous extraction could only be improved to extract 5.4% of the flavonoids extracted with acetone from the Moonlight variety, which had the highest TFC of the six varieties of bitter melon.

Bitter Melon (Momordica Charantia) Reduces Serum Sialic Acid in Type2 Diabetics: Evidence to Delay the Process of Atherosclerosis

More than 1000 herbal products have been used by diverse cultures of the world to treat hyperglycemia and among them bitter melon (Momordica charantia) is one of the most popular herbal resource. The beneficial effects of bitter melon is not limited to hypoglycaemia only, but it also ameliorates diet induced obesity, insulin resistance and exhibit cardioprotective effects. The present study attempts to investigate the effect of bitter melon fruit juice on a newly investigated risk factor, sialic acid in type2 diabetics. A total of 40 type2 diabetic patients, divided into group A (n = 20) and group B (n = 20) were investigated during the present study. The patients of group A were following bitter melon fruit juice treatment along with diet control, whereas the patients of group B were on diet control only. Serum sialic acid (SSA) decreased in group A from 66.20 ± 2.30 mg/dl to 63.50 ± 2.10 mg/dl (<0.11) but, increased in group B from 66.50 ± 1.70 mg/dl to 68.20 ± 2.50 mg/dl (<0.12), compared to baseline. Post-treatment between group comparison revealed a significant difference (<0.05). The beneficial effects on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycohemoglobin (HbA1-c) were also greater in group A compared to group B as was the case with blood lipids, weight and blood pressure. The study provides another mechanism for the cardioprotective effect of bitter melon and further strengthens its value in the management of type2 diabetes.

Revealing the specific regulations of nitric oxide on the postharvest ripening and senescence of bitter melon fruit

Bitter melon fruit is susceptible to yellowing,softening,and rotting under room-temperature storage conditions,resulting in reduced commercial value.Nitric oxide(NO)is an important signaling molecule and plays a crucial role in regulating the fruit postharvest quality.In this study,we investigated the effects of NO treatment on changes in sensory and firmness of bitter melon fruit during postharvest storage.Moreover,transcriptomic,metabolomic,and proteomic analyses were performed to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms through which No treatment delays the ripening and senescence of bitter melon fruit.Our results show that differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were involved in fruit texture(CSLE,β-Gal,and PME),plant hormone signal transduction(ACS,JAR4,and AUX28),and fruit flavor and aroma(SUS2,LOX,and GDH2).In addition,proteins differentially abundant were associated with fruit texture(PLY,PME,and PGA)and plant hormone signal transduction(PBL15,JAR1,and PYL9).Moreover,No significantly increased the abundance of key enzymes involved in the phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway,thus enhancing the disease resistance and alleviating softening of bitter melon fruit.Finally,differential metabolites mainly included phenolic acids,terpenoids,and flavonoids.These results provide a theoretical basis for further studies on the physiological changes associated with postharvest ripening and senescence of bitter melon fruit.

Bitter melon： a panacea for inflammation and cancer

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.

Diverse roles of bitter melon(Momordica charantia)in prevention of oral cancer

Oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)is one of the common lethal malignancies which is increasing rapidly in the world.Increasing risks from alcohol and tobacco habits,lack of early detection markers,lack of effective chemotherapeutic agents,recurrence and distant metastasis make the disease more complicated to manage.Laboratory-based studies and epidemiological studies indicate important roles of nutraceuticals to manage different cancers.The plant bitter melon(Momordica charantia)is a good source of nutrients and bio-active phytochemicals such as triterpenoids,triterpene glycosides,phenolic acids,flavonoids,lectins,sterols and proteins.The plant is widely grown in Asia,Africa,and South America.Bitter melon has traditionally been used as a folk medicine and Ayurvedic medicine in Asian culture to treat diseases such as diabetes,since ancient times.The crude extract and some of the isolated pure compounds of bitter melon show potential anticancer effects against different cancers.In this review,we shed light on its effect on OSCC.Bitter melon extract has been found to inhibit cell proliferation and metabolism,induce cell death and enhance the immune defense system in the prevention of OSCC in vitro and in vivo.Thus,bitter melon may be used as an attractive chemopreventive agent in progression towards OSCC clinical study.

NO处理对苦瓜采后贮藏品质的影响

为研究NO处理对苦瓜果实采后贮藏品质的影响,采用0.25 mmol/L的外源NO供体硝普钠(sodium nitroprusside,SNP)溶液对苦瓜进行20 min浸泡处理,(20±1)℃下贮藏,定期测定苦瓜果实感官品质、硬度、可溶性固形物含量、色差、乙烯释放量、叶绿素含量、总酚含量、类黄酮含量及相关抗氧化酶活性。结果表明:与对照相比,NO处理可较好地维持苦瓜果实硬度、降低乙烯释放量、减轻叶绿素降解,减少可溶性固形物消耗,有效保持总酚、类黄酮等抗氧化物质的含量,抑制苦瓜中过氧化物酶、过氧化氢酶和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶活性的降低,从而延缓苦瓜果实衰老并保持其贮藏品质。

贝莱斯芽孢杆菌N46对苦瓜白粉病的防治机理研究

为探究贝莱斯芽孢杆菌N46对苦瓜白粉病的防治机理,以前期分离得到的贝莱斯芽孢杆菌N46处理盆栽苦瓜,通过检测白粉病病原菌Podosphaera xanthii的孢子萌发率、叶片防御酶活性的变化、活性氧积累、细胞过敏性坏死、木质素积累、抗病相关基因表达量的变化以及抗病表现的依赖途径,开展N46的防治机理研究。结果表明:高浓度(6×10^(8) CFU/mL)的贝莱斯芽孢杆菌N46对苦瓜白粉病的防治效果达到59.05%;N46处理的苦瓜在病原菌侵染时其防御酶过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性的变化幅度和峰值出现了大幅增加,活性氧(ROS)积累显著增加,过敏性坏死率显著提高,显著增强了细胞壁的木质素积累率,同时观察到N46对叶面白粉病病原菌孢子萌发有显著的抑制作用。本研究检测了经N46处理的苦瓜的抗病相关基因:茉莉酸(jasmonic acid,JA)反应性标记脂氧合酶基因(LOC111018837)、水杨酸(salicylic acid,SA)反应性标记基因(LOC111017362)、与过敏反应和细胞壁强化相关的过氧化物酶基因(LOC111021192)表达量的变化,与对照相比,这些基因在苦瓜被白粉病菌侵染时表达量显著增加,其中处理组的JA反应性标记基因在未接触病原菌时也高于对照组的表达水平。说明N46处理的苦瓜在未接触病原菌时即保持了一定水平的抗性基因的“预启动”,而在病原菌侵染时才出现更高的表达水平。通过布洛芬(IBU)抑制植株的JA反应途径,使贝莱斯芽孢杆菌N46对于苦瓜白粉病的防效几乎消失,表明N46诱导的苦瓜白粉病抗性的产生依赖于JA途径。综上所述,贝莱斯芽孢杆菌N46通过抑制叶面白粉病菌孢子萌发和诱导苦瓜产生依赖于JA途径的抗病性起到对苦瓜白粉病的良好防治效果。本研究为苦瓜白粉病的生物防治提供了新方法,为贝莱斯芽孢杆菌对苦瓜白粉病的防治作用提供理论依据。

冷等离子体处理对饲用苦瓜嫁接苗成活率的影响

为探讨冷等离子体种子处理技术对饲用苦瓜嫁接苗成活率及后期长势的影响,通过冷等离子体技术对饲用苦瓜砧穗组合进行处理,研究了冷等离子体种子处理对饲用苦瓜砧穗组合的伤面愈合、成活率、长势、抗性和商品性等的影响,调查隔离层和愈伤组织形成的天数、处理后饲用苦瓜砧穗组合的成活率和生长量数据、饲用苦瓜嫁接苗定植成活率、饲用苦瓜抗病情况及饲用苦瓜果肉厚度的情况,并进行数据分析。结果表明,合适工艺处理砧穗组合可以缩短愈合时间1~2 d,接穗成活率显著提高,接穗生长量提高1.17%~7.62%,果皮厚度增加1.75%~8.77%。该处理方式克服了现有饲用苦瓜嫁接苗伤口愈合慢、伤口二次感染等缺陷,定植后植株发病率降低、抗逆性增强及商品性提高,因此具有良好的使用和推广价值。

苦瓜提取物硒铬酵母组合物辅助降血糖功效研究

为研究苦瓜提取物、硒酵母、铬酵母组合物辅助降血糖效果,开展人体试食试验。本研究受试组52例,对照组53例,共采集到有效试验者105例。试食组每日服用苦瓜硒铬酵母胶囊,对照组服用安慰剂,连续服用60天,检测相关指标。试食组空腹血糖下降率5.52%,有效率48.08%;餐后2 h血糖下降率10.18%,有效率59.62%。试验后,两组空腹血糖有效率差异显著(P<0.05),餐后2 h血糖有效率差异显著(P<0.01);试食组空腹血糖、餐后2h血糖、糖化血红蛋白、血脂四项指标均无明显升高,餐后2 h血糖平均下降幅度≥10%。试验期间未见与受试品或安慰剂有关的不良反应,并且受试者的安全性检查指标均未见明显变化或异常现象,根据评价标准,认为苦瓜提取物、硒、铬组合物具有辅助降血糖功能。

云南干热区前茬收获后免耕对苦瓜杂交制种效果的影响

由于苦瓜人工授粉用工量较大,且成本较高,为了在云南干热区开发苦瓜杂交种子生产基地,且缩减人工成本。将番茄采收后免耕种植苦瓜杂交种子技术和传统苦瓜杂交种子技术相比较。结果表明,番茄种植后免耕种植苦瓜杂交种子技术,人工成本和其他支出减少1.71万元/hm~2,总收入增加1.22万元/hm~2。因此,利用番茄种植后免耕种植苦瓜是一种高效低成本的苦瓜杂交种子生产种植方式。本研究为高效低成本生产苦瓜杂交种子提供理论基础与技术支撑。

苦瓜DNA分子标记研究进展

我国苦瓜品种资源较丰富,南北各地均有分布与栽培,多见于南方各省市。苦瓜DNA分子标记研究开展相对较晚,标记类型应用较少,分子标记辅助育种成果鲜有报道。总结了RAPD、AFLP、SSR、ISSR、SRAP及SNP等第二代和第三代DNA分子标记在苦瓜品种和种子纯度鉴定、亲缘关系分析、遗传图谱构建、QTL定位等方面的研究进展,以期为苦瓜遗传育种等研究提供参考依据。同时在苦瓜现有研究基础上进行展望,认为应加快挖掘功能性基因,开发功能性分子标记及全基因组SNP芯片,这对后续研究具有重大意义。

苦瓜皂苷对饲喂高糖饲料松浦镜鲤幼鱼生长、消化及肝脏健康的影响

为探讨苦瓜皂苷对饲喂高糖饲料松浦镜鲤(Cyprinus carpio Songpu)幼鱼的生长、消化及肝脏健康的影响,随机选取450尾体质量(6.43±0.02)g的松浦镜鲤幼鱼饲养在室内500 L控温循环水族箱中,分别投喂蛋白30%、脂肪6%而含糖不同的6种饲料:含糖10%的饲料(对照组LC)和含30%饲料(高糖组HC)及含30%糖的高糖中添加100 mg/kg(MCS1)、400 mg/kg(MCS2)、1600 mg/kg(MCS3)及6400 mg/kg(MCS4)]苦瓜皂苷的饲料,在水温28℃~32℃下饲养8周。结果表明,MCS3组松浦镜鲤的终末体质量、特定生长率、饲料效率及摄食率显著高于HC组(P<0.05),且MCS3组的终末体质量和摄食率显著高于LC组(P<0.05)。MCS3组松浦镜鲤的蛋白酶及淀粉酶活性最高,显著高于HC组和MCS4组(P<0.05),而其脂肪酶活性最低,显著低于HC组(P<0.05)。MCS3组肝脏的核因子E2相关因子2、铜锌超氧化物歧化酶、锰超氧化物歧化酶及过氧化氢酶的表达量,超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶、过氧化物酶、谷胱甘肽、总抗氧化能力活性最高,显著高于HC组(P<0.05)。MCS3组Kelch样环氧氯丙烷相关蛋白1表达量和丙二醛含量最低,显著低于HC组(P<0.05);MCS3组中过氧化氢酶表达量显著高于LC组(P<0.05)。MCS3组改变了HC组的病理表现,肝细胞核更清晰,细胞界限明显且排列整齐,与LC组肝脏组织结构完整度相似,结构较清晰。综上所述,高糖饲料中苦瓜皂苷添加水平应在1600 mg/kg左右,当添加水平达到6400 mg/kg时,不利于松浦镜鲤幼鱼肠道消化及肝脏健康。

苦瓜多糖和皂苷对秀丽隐杆线虫脂代谢的调节作用

本试验研究了苦瓜多糖与苦瓜皂苷联合作用对秀丽隐杆线虫脂质沉积的影响。通过测定线虫体长、体宽和运动能力,评估苦瓜多糖和皂苷对线虫基础生理指标的影响;结合油红O染色与甘油三酯含量,分析苦瓜多糖和皂苷对线虫脂肪沉积的作用。结果表明:苦瓜多糖和苦瓜皂苷均对N2野生型线虫的生长无抑制作用,且能降低线虫的体宽、增加身体弯曲频率,具有一定的协同作用;同时还能减少线虫体内的脂肪堆积,降低体内的甘油三酯含量,且二者联合添加时效果最优,具有协同调节脂代谢的作用。

几种实蝇诱剂产品对苦瓜瓜实蝇防治效果的初步研究

苦瓜是湖南春夏季主要瓜类蔬菜之一,近年来瓜实蝇危害严重,对苦瓜产量和品质影响极大。通过比较7种诱粘剂和7种引诱剂对苦瓜瓜实蝇的防治效果,以期探索出瓜实蝇的有效防控技术。结果发现,14种实蝇诱剂产品对瓜实蝇都有一定的诱杀效果,但各产品之间效果差异较大;各实蝇诱剂产品诱杀数在8.33~154.33个之间,其中“护植先生”瓜实蝇诱粘剂和“诱多多”瓜实蝇引诱剂对苦瓜瓜实蝇的诱杀效果较好,分别为154.33个和152.67个,“中捷四方”引诱剂诱杀效果最差,为8.33个。14种实蝇诱剂产品防治效果在49.58%~80.00%之间,其中“护植先生”防治效果最好,为80.00%;其次为“诱多多”,防治效果79.15%;“乐蝇美”引诱剂效果最差,为49.58%。结果表明,配合使用“护植先生”瓜实蝇诱粘剂或“诱多多”瓜实蝇引诱剂,可以达到减少瓜实蝇虫源基数、增强防治效果和减施农药的目的。

苦瓜采后热处理对其抗冷性的影响

提高苦瓜的抗冷性对于采后苦瓜保鲜有重要意义。新采收苦瓜分别经38℃10min、42℃5min和50℃1min热浸处理后,以塑料薄膜包装在4℃下贮藏16d。结果表明:42℃热浸苦瓜感官品质最好,无明显冷害发生,细胞膜透性最低,过氧化氢酶活性下降显著减缓,过氧化物酶活性明显受抑;50℃热浸苦瓜冷害发生明显,感官品质迅速下降,细胞膜透性显著提高,过氧化氢酶活性的下降速度和过氧化物酶活性的上升速度均明显提高;38℃热浸苦瓜的感官品质、冷害及其它生理生化指标变化介于上述两处理之间。这说明,适当的热浸处理可以有效地提高采后苦瓜的抗冷性,延长保鲜期。

苦瓜叶片结构与白粉病抗性的关系

以不同抗白粉病的苦瓜品系幼苗为材料,对它们的叶片及上下表皮厚度、栅栏组织及海绵组织厚度、叶片结构紧密度及疏松度、蜡质含量、比叶重、气孔及茸毛密度等叶片结构进行观察比较,探讨苦瓜白粉病抗性与其主要叶片结构指标的关系。结果显示:(1)抗病苦瓜品系叶片的蜡质含量显著高于感病品系,与病情指数呈显著负相关关系,蜡质层是其抵抗和延迟病原菌侵入的一个有力结构屏障。(2)感病品系叶片的气孔和叶背面茸毛数量显著多于抗病品系,且叶背面的气孔及茸毛密度与病情指数呈显著正相关关系,即气孔和茸毛越少越抗病。(3)抗病苦瓜品系的叶片栅栏组织以及海绵组织排列整齐、紧密,而高感品系的叶片组织出现大量孔隙,较难观察到完整细胞。(4)抗病品系叶片厚度、下表皮厚度、栅栏组织厚度、叶片结构紧密度明显高于感病品系,而感病品系的海绵组织厚度、叶片结构疏松度明显高于抗病品系;且苦瓜比叶重与其白粉病抗性关系不大。研究认为,苦瓜叶片蜡质含量、叶背面气孔及茸毛密度可以作为苦瓜白粉病抗性鉴定的参考指标。