Bitter Melon Shows Powerful Anti Cancer Activities

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Bitter melon (Momordica Charantia) is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. Bitter melon contains a number of natural compounds with biological activity, including alkaloids, glycosides and triterpenoids. MAP30, a protein isolated from bitter melon extract, has been reported to possess anticancer effect.

Bitter Melon Cancer Prevention and Treatment

In vitro and animal-based studies indicate anticancer activity. Bitter melon displays cytotoxic effect against leukemic cells in vitro and has a cytostatic activity on MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells xenografted into mice.

Different in vitro studies have showed the anticancer effect of bitter melon against various cell lines, including liver cancer, human leukemia, solid sarcomas and melanoma. A University of Colorado Cancer study reported in the journal “Carcinogenesis” shows that bitter melon juice restricts the ability of pancreatic cancer cells to metabolize glucose. The cell cultures were treated with bitter melon juice while the mice were fed lyophilized bitter melon juice for a period of 6 weeks. Scientists evaluated bitter melon juice’s effects on pancreatic cancer cells in mice, and found that the mice that were given the juice had a 60% lower risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared with control mice.

Bitter melon, exerts a important impact against breast cancer cell growth and may become a chemopreventive agent against this form of cancer. According to research published in the journal” Cancer Research“; bitter melon extract, can be utilized as a dietary supplement for the avoiding of breast cancer. In study, used human breast cancer cells, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, and primary human mammary epithelial cells as an in vitro model to assess the efficacy of bitter melon extract as an anticancer agent. Bitter melon extract treatment of breast cancer cells resulted in a significant decrease in cell proliferation and induced apoptotic cell death. When cell death was measured by looking at cell membrane integrity, 80% of the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells had died within 48 hours of therapy with 2 parts bitter melon extract to 100 parts cell culture medium. The scientists found that cell division was partially halted when treated with bitter melon extract for 24 hours. “Our findings suggest that bitter melon extract modulates several signal transduction pathways, which induces breast cancer cell death,” explained scientist Ratna B. Ray, professor in the Department of Pathology at Saint Louis University.

Can Bitter Melon Help Type 2 Diabetes?

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Bitter melon (Momordica Charantia), as it is sometimes called, are grown in Asia, East Africa and South America. Some researches show that bitter melon extract improves glucose tolerance, reduces blood sugar levels, and lowers HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes. In studies the fresh fruit, its freshly squeezed juice and the homogenized suspension of bitter melon have led to important  diminution in both fasting and postprandial blood glucose. Bitter melon is not like most chemical medications, which are efficacious just in one target organ or tissue; rather, it influences glucose metabolism all over the body.

Bitter Melon and Diabetes Treatment

Bitter melon may have blood-sugar-lowering properties that could help treat diabetes. Bitter melon contains the constituents vicine, charantin and polypeptide-P which are thought to be responsible for bitter melon’s properties in reducing blood sugar levels. Together they enhance glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis in the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue and improve glucose tolerance. In a study published in the March 2008 edition of the International Journal of Chemistry and Biology, scientists discovered that bitter melon contains compounds that activate the enzyme AMPK, which enhances glucose uptake by cells. Bitter melon main components interact with the enzyme AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), this enzyme regulates fuel metabolism and facilitates glucose uptake. This protein, known as AMPK, is normally activated in the body through exercise. Although there are drugs that can  activate this protein, this plant provides the same result with no adverse effects.

A study reported in the journal “Phytomedicine” in 1996 found that bitter melon helped to decrease blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes. Another clinical trial reported in 1999 found that taking bitter melon reduced blood sugar levels in people with non-insulin-dependent diabetes. A study, reported in a 1999 edition of the “Bangladesh Medical Research Council Bulletin“, used an aqueous suspension of bitter melon vegetable pulp in 100 participants with type 2. The researchers examined the effect at one hour after bitter melon was administered and then 2 hours after a 75-gr oral glucose tolerance test. The average blood glucose was 222 mg/dl, which was lower than the previous day’s 2-hour value of 257 mg/dl.

In the “Journal of Medicinal Food“,  scientists analyzed the effect of  Momordica charantia extracts in diabetic and healthy rats. As a result, bitter melon strongly reduced glucose levels in diabetic rats and showed favorable effects in the regulation of blood glucose in normal rats. In 2007, a study by the “Philippine Department of Health” determined a daily dose of 100 mg per kilogram of body weight is comparable to 2.5 mg/kg of the antidiabetes medication glibenclamide used twice per day.  In Jan 2011, the findings of a 4-week studies were reported in the Journal of  “Ethnopharmacology“, which demonstrated that a 2000 mg daily dose of bitter melon significantly reduced blood glucose levels among patients with type 2 diabetes. Egyptian researchers develop bitter melon tablet to fight diabetes. Insulin is administered through injection because it is broken down by stomach enzymes if taken orally. The novelty of the bitter melon tablet is that “the fruit’s active ingredients have a specific coating that prevents hydrolysis of this substance by enzymes,” explains Dr. Souad al-Gengaihi.

Zinc Cuts the Length of the Common Cold

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Zinc (Zn) is a catalyst necessary for activating about 100 enzymes involved in metabolic reactions within the cells. This mineral is necessary for the immune system, and zinc deficiency affects multiple aspects of  innate and adaptive immunity.  Zinc is very important for normal development and function of cells mediating nonspecific immunity such as neutrophils and NK (natural killer) cells.

Symptoms of Zinc Deficiency

The Symptoms of a moderate deficiency of zinc include growth retardation and male hypogonadism in adolescents, cell-mediated immune dysfunctions, delayed wound healing, poor appetite, rough skin and mental lethargy. The Symptoms of severe Zn deficiency in humans include alopecia, bullous pustular dermatitis, intercurrent infections due to cell-mediated immune dysfunctions, weight loss, hypogonadism in males, emotional disorder,  neurosensory disorders, and problems with healing of ulcers. Clinical symptoms of  Zn deficiency may occur when plasma zinc concentrations drop below 65 mcg/dL. Values less than 33 mcg/dL are especially associated with loss of the senses of taste and smell, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and skin rash.

Zinc and Immune Health

Zinc is known to play a critical role in the immune system, and zinc deficient individuals experience increased susceptibility to a variety of pathogens. Enough zinc intake is essential in maintaining the integrity of the immune system, specifically for normal development and function of cells that mediate both innate and adaptive immune responses. People with low  Zn levels have shown reduced lymphocyte proliferation response to mitogens and other adverse alterations in immunity that can be corrected by zinc supplement.  Zn deficiency in humans reduces the activity of serum thymulin, which is required for maturation of  T-helper cells. Thymulin  (a thymic hormone) is a thymus-specific hormone and it requires the presence of zinc for its biological activity to be expressed.

ZincThe found Zn has a important role in preventing too much inflammation, which could retard the body’s ability to fight infection. Professor Daren Knoell, lead researcher on the study, which is reported in the journal Cell Reports, said: “If you are deficient in zinc you are at a disadvantage because your defence system is amplified, and inappropriately so. “The effect to health is explicit; zinc is useful because it stops the action of a protein, ultimately preventing excess inflammation.” Certain aspects of immune function in the elderly have been found to improve with zinc. In a study in men and women over 65 years of age found that a zinc supplementation of 25 mg/day for 3 months increased levels of some circulating immune cells compared to placebo. In another study in 49 older participants (aged 55-87 years), 35% of which were considered zinc deficient, found that zinc supplement of 45 mg/day for twelve months reduced the incidence of infection and ex vivo markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Zinc and Common Cold Treatment

Clinical study findings support the value of zinc in reducing the duration and severity of symptoms of the common cold when administered within 24 hours of the onset of common cold symptoms.  Zn has been shown, in some studies, to inhibit the reproduction of viruses and may promote the production of the virus-fighter interferon. Most colds are caused by a type of virus called rhinovirus, which thrives and multiplies in the nasal passages and throat. Rhinoviruses belong to the same virus family as the more widely feared poliovirus. Human rhinoviruses, by attaching to the nasal epithelium via the intracellular adhesion molecule-1 receptor, cause most colds. Rhinovirus is very effective at producing infections. It has been shown that 95% of individuals exposed to a rhinovirus strain they have not previously encountered become infected, and 75% of those infected become ill.  Laboratory study has shown that the zinc is known to help block replication of rhinoviruses and other viruses which affect the respiratory system.

According to a study, reported in the Oct 2004 edition Journal of American Pharmacist Association, zinc helps decrease the duration and severity of symptoms of the common cold. Researchers think that zinc lozenges or nasal sprays may avoid the virus that causes the common cold from attaching to the nasal cavities, windpipe, and lungs. In lab experiments, this mineral interacts with the virus’ “coat” and changes its ability to assemble into mature virus particles.  In a clinical study, 50 participants took a zinc acetate lozenge (13.3 mg zinc) or placebo every 2–3 wakeful hours. Compared with placebo, the zinc lozenges significantly reduces the duration of cold symptoms. In another study involving 273 subjects with experimentally induced colds, zinc gluconate lozenges (13.3 mg zinc) significantly reduced the duration of illness compared with placebo. In a study looked at the ability of zinc lozenges to treat the common cold in adults. Within 24 hours of experiencing cold symptoms, 99 participants took zinc or placebo lozenges every 2 hours. At the end of the study, participants taking zinc lozenges had their cold symptoms for just 4.4 days, on average, while participants taking the placebo had theirs for an average of 7.6 days.

Depending on the total dosage of zinc and the composition of lozenges, zinc lozenges may shorten the duration of common cold episodes by up to 40%, according to a study reported in the “Open Respiratory Medicine Journal“. A review of the available scientific findings show taking zinc within a day of the onset of cold symptoms speeds recovery. Furthermore, it may help ward off colds, explain the authors of the Cochrane Systematic Review that included data from 15 trials involving 1360 people. According to the Cochrane Review, when taken within 24 hours of the first symptoms of a cold  zinc lozenges, syrups or capsules, can cut colds short by several days and sharply reduce the severity of symptoms.

Carnosine and its Possible Roles in Cataract

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Carnosine occurs naturally in the body’s muscle and nervous tissues and is formed by the amino acids alanine and histidine. It is found in relatively high amounts in several body tissues in skeletal muscle, heart muscle, and brain. In recent years Russian researcher have been researching an analogue of the di-peptide carnosine called NAC (n-acetylcarnosine) which they claim to be effective in the therapy of cataract.

N-acetylcarnosine and Cataracts

L-carnosine  protects proteins in the eye from harm caused by MDA (malondialdehyde) and stops malondialdehyde from inducing cross-linking. Carnosine is efficacious at treating senile cataracts, and at slowing down cataract development. The glycation process can change lens proteins and significantly contribute to diabetic cataract formation and retinopathy. New researches suggests that the most substantial action of carnosine is its anti-glycation impact. Glycation can be called as the binding of a protein molecule to a glucose molecule resulting in the formation of damaged, nonfunctioning structures. Glycation alters protein structure and reduces biological activity. Glycated proteins, which accumulate in affected tissue. Several  age-related ailments such as cataract, are  partially attributable to glycation.

eyeCarnosine containing eyedrops have showed effectiveness in treating a different of ophthalmic problems, including corneal diseases, increased intraocular pressure, glaucoma and cataracts, and impaired vision from any cause. Explained that researches out of  Italy and Russia has shown that, l-carnosine, may be all that’s needed to dissolve cataracts, improve vision, and prevent redundant surgery. A new treatment for cataracts is NAC (N-acetylcarnosine). NAC has a highly statistical and very important clinical success rate for patients within 3-12 months of therapy. This therapy was improved by opthalmologist Dr. Babizhayev in Moscow. Many of the researches demonstrating the effectiveness of carnosine in preventing or treating cataracts in humans has been done by Dr. Babizhayev. Application of a 1 percent solution of N-acetylcarnosine to the eyes has dissolved cataracts. This works by preventing and reversing cross linking of the lens proteins that produces opacification and impaired vision. In 6 months, 90 percent of participants had developed vision. In 1994, scientists from the “Moscow Helmholtz Research Institute of  Eye Diseases” linked the antioxidant effects of this compound to the possible for prevention or partially reversing cataract development.

A canine study using 1.0% NAC in its patented formulation used 30 dogs in the treatment group, 15 dogs in placebo-controlled group, and 10 dogs without therapy. After six months of therapy, 96% of eyes in the treatment group demonstrated healing in the slit image and retroillumination photographs. In 2009 a trial of 75 patients with cataracts and 72 without, 1.0% NAC was instilled daily for nine months. In both groups visual acuity and reduction in glare sensitivity reached statistical significance at nine months. Researchers in China explained that carnosine-containing eyedrops used to treat 96 cataract patients over 60 years of age resulted in 100 % healing in primary senile cataract, and 80 % in those with mature senile cataract. A Russian trial was designed to document and quantify the changes in lens clarity over a 6 to 24 month period for 49 participants. Participants average age was 65 and all suffered from senile cataract of a minimal to advanced opacification. The subjects received either a 1% solution of NAC eye-drops or a placebo, as 2-drops twice a day into each eye. At six months, 88 % of all eyes treated with NAC had an amelioration of glare sensitivity. 41 % of all eyes treated with NAC had a important amelioration of the transmissivity of the lens, and 90% of the eyes treated with NAC demonstrated an healing in visual acuity.

Coenzyme Q10 Could Help Reduce Heart Deaths

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Ubiquinol is the reduced form of Coenzyme Q10. Researches have shown that Ubiquinol is useful to the cardiovascular system, helps support arterial health, and promotes optimial heart health. Ideal blood levels for those afflicted with congestive heart failure are considered to be greater than 3.5 micrograms per milliliter. A clinical trial demonstrated that supplementation with only 150 mg per day (within 28 days) of ubiquinol resulted in CoQ10 blood levels of 3.84 mcg/mL. In study participants who took 300 mg per day of ubiquinol, blood CoQ10 levels reached 7.28 mcg/mL.

Coenzyme Q10 and Heart Diseases

CHF (congestive heart failure) means the heart cannot pump enough blood to keep up with the body’s needs. The most common variety of  Congestive heart failure, involves weakening of the muscle in the heart’s left ventricle following bouts of ischemia and/or infarction. Coenzyme Q10 levels are decreased in the heart muscle of individuals with heart failure, with the deficiency becoming more pronounced as heart failure severity worsens. Being at the core of cellular energy processes it assumes significance in cells with high energy requirements like the cardiac cells which are extremely sensitive to Coenzyme Q10 de?ciency produced by cardiac diseases. Coenzyme Q10 has therefore, a potential role for prevention and therapy of heart ailments by improving cellular bioenergetics.

When started within 72 hours of myocardial infarction and taken for one year, CoQ10 appears to significantly lower the risk of heart-related events including non-fatal myocardialinfarction. Ubiquinol were associated with improvements in the capability of the heart to pump blood, as well as general heart health scores, according to results reported in the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition“. In people with chronic heart failure 300 mg of  Coenzyme Q10 per day was able to strengthen the heart over a four week period, as did exercise. Coenzyme Q10 levels in the blood were elevated 4 times higher from the supplements, compared to the control group, and even higher when Coenzyme Q10 was combined with exercise. The ejection fraction is an substantial measurement in determining how well your heart is pumping out blood and in diagnosing and tracking heart failure. Healthy individuals have an ejection fraction of 50-75%, while those with CHF (congestive heart failure) usually have values below 20-30%. In a study performed by Dr. Peter Langsjoen, the ejection fraction improved from 24% up to 45% in ubiquinol-treated patients who had follow-up echocardiograms.

In a clinical study of patients with congestive heart failure were given 580 mg per day of ubiquinone. These individuals found increases in blood levels of  CoQ10 levels, along with important developments in the ejection fraction of the heart and improvement of the left ventricle, the part of the heart that sends blood out to the body. In other, randomized placebo controlled, double-blind study, 641 people with more severe congestive heart failure were given either a placebo or 150 mg/day of  Coenzyme Q10 for one year. The number of patients requiring hospitalization because of worsening failure was 38 percent less in the Coenzyme Q10 group. Coenzyme Q10 cuts mortality by half in people with heart failure, scientists from Denmark reported at the annual meeting of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology, which took place in Lisbon. Coenzyme Q10 is the first drug to improve survival in chronic heart failure since ACE inhibitors and beta blockers more than a decade ago and should be added to standard heart failure treatment, according to lead author Professor Svend Aage Mortensen.