Evidence of Immunosuppressive and Th2 Immune Polarizing Effects of Antidiabetic Momordica charantia Fruit Juice

Extraction methods, multiple biological activities, and related mechanisms of Momordica charantia polysaccharide: A review

Momordica Charantia Polysaccharide (MCP) is a key bioactive compound derived from bitter melon fruit. This review summarizes the advancements in MCP research, including extraction techniques, biological activities, and mechanisms. MCP can be extracted using various methods, and has demonstrated hypoglycemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunoregulatory effects. Research suggests that MCP may regulate metabolic enzymes, oxidative stress reactions, and inflammatory pathways. The review highlights the potential applications of MCP in areas such as anti-diabetes, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunoregulatory research. Future research should focus on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of MCP and optimizing extraction methods. This review provides a foundation for further research and utilization of MCP.

Exploring the Influence of the Selected Conjugated Fatty Acids Isomers and Cancerous Process on the Fatty Acids Profile of Spleen

The spleen, traditionally associated with blood filtration and immune surveillance, has recently been recognized for its role in systemic lipid metabolism and potential influence on cancer development and progression. This study investigates effects of dietary supplements, specifically conjugated linolenic acids from pomegranate seed oil and bitter melon extract, on the fatty acid (FA) composition of the spleen in the context of cancerous processes. Advanced methods, including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and silver ion-impregnated high-performance liquid chromatography, were employed to analyze the spleen's FA profile. Our research uncovered that dietary supplementation leads to alterations in the spleen's FA profile, especially under the carcinogenic influence of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene. These changes did not align with a simple protective or anti-carcinogenic pattern, as previously suggested in in vitro studies. We observed shifts in conjugated FA isomer concentrations and variations in desaturase activities, suggesting disrupted lipid metabolism in cancerous conditions. The findings underscore the spleen's vital role in lipid metabolism within the body's systemic health framework, highlighting the complexity of dietary supplements' impact on FA profiles in the spleen and their potential implications in cancer progression and treatment. This study adds valuable insight into the complex interplay between diet, disease, and metabolic regulation, particularly in cancerous environments.

Unleashing the Potential of Medicinal Plants in Benin: Assessing the Status of Research and the Need for Enhanced Practices

Medicinal plants play a crucial role in the primary health care of the population in developing countries such as Benin. The national universities of Benin conduct research on the pharmacological, toxicological, and phytochemical properties of these plants, but the resulting knowledge often does not lead to the development of phytomedicines for the improvement of public health. This study aims to assess the current status of research on medicinal plants in Benin. A literature review was conducted using various search engines, and the collected data was analyzed. The results indicate that research on the biological properties of medicinal plants is still in its early stages, with limited and inadequate methodological approaches. These limitations highlight the urgent need to enhance research practices and facilitate the development of effective and safe phytomedicines.

The Effect of Momordica charantia in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus: A Review

In recent years, many studies of Momordica charantia (MC) in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications have been reported. This article reviewed the effect and mechanism of MC against diabetes, including the results from in vitro and in vivo experiments and clinical trials. The common side effects of MC were also summarized. We hope that it might open up new ideas for further mechanism exploration and clinical application as well as provide a scientific theoretical basis for the development of drugs or foods derived from MC.

Th2-Immune Polarizing and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Insulin Are Not Effective in Type 2 Diabetic Pregnancy

BACKGROUND

The implication of the immune system in the physiopathology of pregnancy complicated by diabetes has been reported. Here, we investigated the effects of insulin treatment on the frequencies of immune cell subpopulations as well as T cell-derived cytokines in type 2 diabetic (T2D) pregnancy compared to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

METHODS

Fifteen (15) women with GDM, twenty (20) insulin-treated T2D pregnant women, and twenty-five (25) pregnant controls were selected. Immune cell subpopulation frequencies were determined in blood using flow cytometry. The proliferative capacity of T cells was performed, and serum and cell culture supernatant cytokine levels were also quantified.

RESULTS

The frequencies of total CD3+ and CD4+ T cells and nonclassical monocytes significantly increased in insulin-treated T2D pregnant women compared to pregnant controls. The proportions of CD4+ T cells as well as B cells were significantly higher in women with GDM than in pregnant controls. GDM was associated with high frequencies of total CD3+ and CD4+ T cells and B cell expansion, suggesting a concomitant activation of cellular and humoral immunity. Concomitantly, Th1/Th2 ratio, determined as IFN-γ/IL-4, was shifted towards Th1 phenotype in women with GDM and insulin-treated T2D pregnant women. Besides, isolated T cells elicited similar proliferative capacity in the three groups of women. Insulin-treated T2D pregnant women and women with GDM exhibited a low serum IL-10 level, without any change in the number of Treg cells.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that, despite insulin treatment, pregnant women with T2D displayed a proinflammatory status consistent with high proportions of CD3+ and CD4+ T cells, upregulation of Th1 cytokines, and low IL-10 production, suggesting a reduced immune-suppressive activity of regulatory T cells. However, GDM, although associated with proinflammatory status, has shown increased humoral immunity consistent with high proportion of CD19+ B cells. Thus, the lack of response to insulin in diabetes during pregnancy and clinical implications of these immunological parameters deserves further investigations.

Cucurbitane-Type Triterpenoids from the Vines of Momordica charantia and Their Anti-inflammatory Activities

Seven new cucurbitane-type triterpenoids, kuguaovins A-G (1-7), and five known ones were isolated from the rattans of wild Momordica charantia. Their structures were established by spectroscopic data analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR, IR, and MS techniques. The absolute configurations of the cucurbitanes were determined from NOESY data and partially by X-ray crystallographic analysis. In pharmacological studies, compounds 1-7 and 9-12 exhibited weak anti-inflammatory effects (IC50 = 15-35 μM), based on an anti-NO production assay.

Momordica charantia, a Nutraceutical Approach for Inflammatory Related Diseases

Momordica charantia, commonly called bitter melon, is a plant belonging to Cucurbitaceae family known for centuries for its pharmacological activities, and nutritional properties. Due to the presence of many bioactive compounds, some of which possess potent biological actions, this plant is used in folk medicine all over the world for the treatment of different pathologies, mainly diabetes, but also cancer, and other inflammation-associated diseases. It is widely demonstrated that M. charantia extracts contribute in lowering glycaemia in patients affected by type 2 diabetes. However, the majority of existing studies on M. charantia bioactive compounds were performed only on cell lines and in animal models. Therefore, because the real impact of bitter melon on human health has not been thoroughly demonstrated, systematic clinical studies are needed to establish its efficacy and safety in patients. Besides, both in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that bitter melon may also elicit toxic or adverse effects under different conditions. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic properties of bitter melon, discussing its pharmacological activity as well as the potential adverse effects. Even if a lot of literature is available about bitter melon as antidiabetic drug, few papers discuss the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties of this plant.

The Immunomodulatory Activities of Picria Fel-Terrae Lour Herbs towards RAW 264.7 Cells

AIM:

To investigate immunomodulatory activities of Picria fel-terrae Lour herbs extract against inflammatory biomarkers by conducting cell culture experiments.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

The herbs of Picria fel-terrae Lour were dried and extracted with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, 96% ethanol, followed by evaporation and freeze-drying. Phytochemicals screening were analysed with thin layer chromatography method. Cell viability was assessed with MTT assay. The genes of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α, Interleukin (IL)-6, interleukin (IL)-1β and inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS), Cyclooxygenase (COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages were analysed by Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) method.

RESULTS:

Phytochemicals screening showed the presence of steroids in n-hexane extract (ENPFH) and flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, tannins in ethyl acetate (EEAPFH) and ethanol (EEPFH) extracts. The Viability of RAW 264.7 cell toward ENPFH, EEAPFH, and EEPFH (1-200 μgmL^-1) showed no toxicity effects. At the gene level, ENPFH; EEAPFH; EEPFH decreased the gene expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, iNOS, and COX-2 which induced with LPS (1 μgmL-1).

CONCLUSIONS:

Our results suggest that extracts of Picria fel-terrae Lour Herbs possesses immunomodulatory activities by inhibiting selected inflammatory biomarkers at the gene levels in LPS-induced macrophages.

Momordica charantia Ethanol Extract Attenuates H₂O₂-Induced Cell Death by Its Antioxidant and Anti-Apoptotic Properties in Human Neuroblastoma SK-N-MC Cells

Oxidative stress, which is induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), causes cellular damage which contributes to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Momordica charantia (MC), a traditional medicinal plant, is known to have a variety of health benefits, such as antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. However, it is unknown whether MC has protective effects against oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell death. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential action of MC on oxidative stress induced by H₂O₂. First, we tested whether the pretreatment of Momordica charantia ethanol extract (MCEE) attenuates H₂O₂-induced cell death in human neuroblastoma SK-N-MC cells. MCEE pretreatment significantly improved cell viability and apoptosis that deteriorated by H₂O₂. Further, MCEE ameliorated the imbalance between intracellular ROS production and removal through the enhancement of the intracellular antioxidant system. Intriguingly, the inhibition of apoptosis was followed by the blockage of mitochondria-dependent cell death cascades and suppression of the phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling (MAPKs) pathway by MCEE. Taken together, MCEE was shown to be effective in protecting against H₂O₂-induced cell death through its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties.

Effectiveness of Antihyperglycemic Effect of Momordica charantia: Implication of T-Cell Cytokines

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

We investigate the effect of antidiabetic Momordica charantia fruit juice on T cells' differentiation, through plasmatic cytokine quantification in type 1 diabetic rats (T1D).

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were rendered diabetic by the injection of five low doses of streptozotocin. Then, animals were treated with Momordica charantia fruit juice for 28 consecutive days. Plasmatic levels of Th1 interleukin- (IL-) 02 and interferon- (IFN-) γ, Th2 (IL-4), and regulatory (IL-10) cytokines were determined in rats.

RESULTS

We observed that fruit juice induced a significant decrease in blood glucose of T1D rats. Besides, the concentrations of IL-2 and IFN-γ significantly increased while those of IL-4 and IL-10 diminished in diabetic rats compared to control animals. Interestingly, after treatment with Momordica charantia fruit juice, IL-4 and IL-10 levels significantly increased in diabetic rats, while IL-2 and IFN-γ concentrations decreased, suggesting a Th2 phenotype in these animals. Phytochemical analysis of the fruit juice revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, and coumarins, compounds which possess antioxidant activity.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that Momordica charantia fruit juice, by lowering the hyperglycemia, induced a shift of proinflammatory Th1 phenotype in T1D rats towards a favorable anti-inflammatory Th2 status. These effects might be due to the presence of antioxidant compounds in the juice and confirms the use of this plant in the treatment of autoimmune type 1 diabetes.