Diverse roles of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) in prevention of oral cancer
Authors
Subhayan Sur
Department of Pathology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
Ratna Ray
Department of Pathology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
Keywords:
Bitter melon (Momordica charantia), oral squamous cell carcinoma, signal transduction, cancer metabolism, immune system, cancer prevention
Abstract
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.
Keywords: Bitter melon (Momordica charantia), oral squamous cell carcinoma, signal transduction, cancer metabolism, immune system, cancer prevention
Author Biography
Ratna Ray, Department of Pathology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
Cancer Center, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
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