Bittergourd ( Momordica charantia) scavenges free radicals by enhancing the expression of superoxide dismutase in in vitro models of diabetes and cancer

摘要

The free radical scavenging activity of the bittergourd extract (Momordica charantia) and its effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was investigated. Although its anti-hyperglycemic effects have been thoroughly studied, its effects against hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress have not been systematically assessed. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay quantified the antioxidant capacity of the extract, while the ROS scavenging ability in hyperglycemia-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells and HeLa cells was investigated. The SOD assay was also carried out. The extract was observed to have reduced ROS in a dose-dependent manner. The stimulation of SOD activity was also dose dependent. The low ORAC value of the extract indicated the absence of antioxidant compounds, which could directly quench ROS. Instead, the extract had stimulated the SOD expression, thereby quenching the ROS. The extract was observed to be beneficial for diseases that are associated with free radical-induced oxidative damage. En esta investigacion se estudio la actividad de captacion de radicales libres exhibida por el extracto de melon amargo (Momordica charantia), asi como su efecto en especies reactivas de oxigeno (ROS) y en superoxido dismutasa. Si bien hasta el momento han sido ampliamente estudiados sus efectos antihiperglicemicos, no se han evaluado sus efectos en contra del estres oxidativo inducido por la hiperglicemia. A partir de la evaluacion de la capacidad de absorcion de oxigeno radical (ORAC) se cuantifico la capacidad antioxidante del extracto; asimismo, se investigo la habilidad para captar ROS mostrada por las celulas endoteliales de venas umbilicales humanas con hiperglicemia inducida, estudiandose tambien las celulas HeLA. Ademas, se realizo una evaluacion de la actividad SOD, cuya estimulacion tambien dependio de la dosis. La presencia de un valor ORAC bajo del extracto indica la ausencia de compuestos antioxidantes que podrian extinguir las ROS directamente. Como alternativa, el extracto estimulo la expresion SOD, extinguiendo de esa manera las ROS. Se concluyo que el extracto resulta benefico para aquellas enfermedades asociadas a danos oxidativos inducidos por radicales libres.