Bitter Melon and Diabetes Mellitus

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) has traditionally been used in the management of diabetes in many countries and territories. However, standardized information on the use of this vegetable as an antidiabetic drug is still very limited. Many animal studies and clinical trials have showed the remarkable effect of bitter melon on diabetes. The research results showed that bitter melon could enhance insulin sensitivity, repair damaged pancreas islet beta-cells and stimulate insulin secretion. What's more, bitter melon could reduce hyperglycemia by regulating intestinal flora, inhibiting glucosidase and amylase, scavenging free radicals, enhancing the activity of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and increasing expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). In addition, it could also act as the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1 R) agonist and the 11-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11 beta-HSD1) inhibitor to exert hypoglycemic effects. Therefore, we will discuss the hypoglycemic mechanisms of crude extracts and different phyto-metabolites derived from bitter melon in the paper.

Automated summary

Bitter melon has been traditionally used in diabetes management, and both animal studies and clinical trials have shown its remarkable antidiabetic effects. The mechanisms include enhancing insulin sensitivity, repairing damaged beta-cells, stimulating insulin secretion, and regulating intestinal flora.