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In vitro and In vivo Determination of Biological Activities of Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.) Peel, Flesh and Seeds

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Abstract

Momordica charantia L. has been remained a well-known medicinal vegetable used traditionally. However, which part is most effective against which disorder, has been remained undiscovered yet. The objective of this study was to examine the antimicrobial, antihyperlipidemic and antihyperglycemic activities of peel, flesh, and seeds of bitter gourd, through in vitro and in vivo assays. Ethanolic extracts from powders of three fractions of bitter gourd were assessed for antimicrobial potential against bacterial and fungal strains, whereas, powders of these fractions were used to determine antihyperlipidemic and antihyperglycemic activity, in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Our results showed that BSE exhibited better antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus, whereas BFE exhibited better against Escherichia coli. Blood glucose was significantly lowered by all three powders in a dose dependent manner, when fed to diabetic rats, with the highest decrease by BSP, which reduced the glucose level from 296.20 ± 2.00 mg/dl to 123.10 ± 0.80 mg/dl, at 15 mg dose, after 28 days trial. Elevated levels of TC (101.18 ± 0.65 mg/dl), TG (83.69 ± 0.61 mg/dl) and LDL–C (25.90 ± 0.09 mg/dl) in positive control rats were lowered down in well manners by BSP at 15 mg dose, to 86.30 ± 0.53, 67.70 ± 0.53 and 19.32 ± 0.06 mg/dl, respectively. As compared to BFP and BPP, BSP showed significant involvement in antibacterial, antihyperglycemic, and antihyperlipidemic actions. Along with the edible flesh, peels and seeds, which are usually discarded as waste, could also be utilized for development of pharma foods capable of promoting health.

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Data Availability

Data relevant to this study can be provided upon request from corresponding author.

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Funding

No funds in any form, from any source were availed for this research work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, 41000, Pakistan

    Ashiq Hussain, Samina Kauser, Shazia Yaqub, Anjum Shehzad & Saima Akram

  2. School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China

    Sameh A. Korma

  3. Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt

    Sameh A. Korma

  4. Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi, 44000, Pakistan

    Khurram Kabir, Haya Fatima & Atif Ali

  5. College of Food and Biological Engineering, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar, 161006, China

    Muhmmad Rehan Arif

  6. National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi, 621301, Taiwan

    Shafiqa Ali

  7. University Malaysia Pahang, Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang, 26300, Malaysia

    Muhammad Qasim Ali

  8. Department of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China

    Atif Ali

Authors
  1. Ashiq Hussain
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Contributions

A. H. and S. A. K. Conceptualization; K. K. and A. S. Data curation; M. R. A. Formal analysis; H. F Funding acquisition, Investigation; S. A. Methodology, Project administration; S. A. and S. A. K. Resources; S. K. and A. A. Software; A. H. Supervision; M. Q. A Validation, Visualization; A. H. Roles/Writing – original draft; A. H., S. Y. and S. A. K, Writing – review and editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ashiq Hussain.

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Ethical Approval

This study involved experiments on rats. Therefore, appropriate protocols for protecting the ethical rights of all animals were utilized during the execution of the research. This study was approved by Animal Ethical Committee, College of Biochemistry & Pharmacy, University of Sargodha (SU/AESC/283/Nov/23/2021), for 3 months trials.

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Hussain, A., Korma, S.A., Kabir, K. et al. In vitro and In vivo Determination of Biological Activities of Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.) Peel, Flesh and Seeds. Plant Foods Hum Nutr (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-024-01153-2

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