What is Bitter Melon?

How Could Bitter Melon Extract Support My Health?

• The main constituents of bitter melon which are responsible for supporting blood sugar levels are triterpene, proteid, steroid, alkaloid, inorganic lipid, and phenolic compounds [1][2].*
• Four triterpenoids have AMP-activated protein kinase activity, which may account for the blood pressure supporting mechanism of bitter melon [3].*
• Momordicine II, 3-hydroxycucurbita-5, 24-dien-19-al-7, 23-di-O-b-glucopyranoside, are saponins found in bitter melon. These compounds show significant glucose support in optimal blood sugar blood health [4].*
• Charantin is a typical cucurbitane-type triterpenoid found in bitter melon and is a potential substance with blood sugar supporting properties. It is a mixture of two compounds; namely sitosteryl glucoside and stigmasteryl glucoside [5].*
• Bitter melon also contains polypeptide-p or p-insuIin, which is an insuIin-like hypoglycemic protein that can lower our blood glucose levels. The p-insuIin works by mimicking the actions of human insuIin in the body and can be considered as a plant-based blood sugar supporting properties [6].*
• Glycolalkaloids (also known as vicine) is a pyrimidine nucleoside that has been shown to support healthy blood sugar [7].*
• An earlier study on the development of diabetic-caused cataracts demonstrated that blood sugar level-dependent cataracts formation happens. Bitter melon extract helps support blood health and is associated with better glucose homeostasis [15].*

Other Health Benefits of Bitter Melon:

• It contains many phenolic compounds that exhibits potential free radical scavengers and in the management of health cell production [2].*
• The fruit, stems, leaves, and roots of the bitter melon plant have all been used in traditional medicine to help support digestive and menstrual health [8]. The extract can also be used as a bacterial management. [13]*
• Bitter melon is shown to have immune supporting properties, which assists in healthly viral management [9][10].*
• Studies have also shown that bitter melon possesses healthy cell production supporting properties [11].*
• A study by Ray et al. showed that bitter melon extract modulates signal transduction pathways and may support breast health [12].*
• The plant also possesses anthelmintic properties which may assist in healthy malaria response [14].*

Nutritive Value of Bitter Melon

Suggested Usage / Dosage

The recommended dosage for this extract is 500 mg daily.

Interactions / Side Effects

Pregnant women are highly advised to avoid consumption of any parts of this plant.

Ideal Storage Conditions

Use a sealed container to store this product in a cool, dry place. Keep away from direct light and moisture. Once the package is opened, it must be re-sealed and used within 6 months.

Shelf Life

2-years from Date of Manufacture.

References

1. Saeed MK, Shahzadi I, Ahmad I, Ahmad R, Shahzad K, Ashraf M, et al. et al. Nutritional analysis and antioxidant activity of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) from Pakistan. Pharmacologyonline. 2010;1:252–260.
2. Budrat P, Shotipruk A. Extraction of phenolic compounds from fruits of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) with subcritical water extraction and antioxidant activities of these extracts. Chiang Mai J Sci. 2008;35(1):123–130
3. Antidiabetic activities of triterpenoids isolated from bitter melon associated with activation of the AMPK pathway. Tan MJ, Ye JM, Turner N, Hohnen-Behrens C, Ke CQ, Tang CP, Chen T, Weiss HC, Gesing ER, Rowland A, James DE, Ye Y Chem Biol. 2008 Mar; 15(3):263-73.
4. Saponins from the traditional medicinal plant Momordica charantia stimulate insuIin secretion in vitro. Keller AC, Ma J, Kavalier A, He K, Brillantes AM, Kennelly EJ Phytomedicine. 2011 Dec 15; 19(1):32-7.5.
5. Pitiphanpong J, Chitprasert S, Goto M, Jiratchariyakul W, Sasaki M, Shotipruk A. New approach for extraction of charantin from Momordica charantia with pressurized liquid extraction. Sep Purif Technol. 2007;52:416–422.
6. Paul A, Raychaudhuri SS. Medicinal uses and molecular identification of two Momordica charantia varieties - a review. E J Bio. 2010;6(2):43–51.
7. Ham C, Wang J. Optimization of conditions for charantin extraction in PEG/Salt aqueous two-phase systems using response surface methodology. Open Compl Med J. 2009;1:46–50.
8. Slow acting protein extract from fruit pulp of Momordica charantia with insuIin secretagogue and insuIinomimetic activities.Yibchok-anun S, Adisakwattana S, Yao CY, Sangvanich P, Roengsumran S, Hsu WH. Biol Pharm Bull. 2006 Jun; 29(6):1126-31.
9. Pharmacological actions and potential uses of Momordica charantia: a review. Grover JK, Yadav SP J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Jul; 93(1):123-32.
10. Bot YS. Ekpoma: Ambrose Alli University; 2004. Screening for the anti HIV properties of the fruit pulp extract of M. balsamina
11. Haque EM, Alam BM, Hossain SM. The efficacy of cucurbitane type triterpenoids, glycosides and phenolic compounds isolated from Momordica charantia: a review. IJPSR. 2011;2(5):1135–1146.
12. Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) extract inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation by modulating cell cycle regulatory genes and promotes apoptosis. Ray RB, Raychoudhuri A, Steele R, Nerurkar P Cancer Res. 2010 Mar 1; 70(5):1925-31.
13. Saeed S, Tariq P. Antibacterial activities of Mentha piperita, Pisum sativum and Momordica charantia. Pakistan J Botany. 2005;37:997–1001
14. Pharmacological actions and potential uses of Momordica charantia: a review. Grover JK, Yadav SP. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Jul; 93(1):123-32.
15. Bitter gourd (Momordica Charantia): A dietary approach to hyperglycemia. Krawinkel MB, Keding GB. Nutr Rev. 2006 Jul; 64(7 Pt 1):331-7.
16. New cucurbitane triterpenoids and steroidal glycoside from Momordica charantia. Liu JQ, Chen JC, Wang CF, Qiu MH Molecules. 2009 Nov 25; 14(12):4804-13.
17. Kumar DS, Sharathnath VK, Yogeswaran P, Harani A, Sudhakar K, Sudha P, et al. et al. A medicinal potency of Momordica charantia. Int J Pharm Sci Rev Res. 2010;1(2):95–99.