The effects of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) extracts on serum and liver lipid parameters in hamsters fed cholesterol-free and cholesterol-enriched diets

• Published in: Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology Vol. 50; no. 4; pp. 253 - 257
• Main Authors: Senanayake, G.V.K. (Miyazaki Univ. (Japan). Faculty of Agriculture), Maruyama, M, Sakono, M, Fukuda, N, Morishita, T, Yukizaki, C, Kawano, M, Ohta, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Center for Academic Publications Japan 2004
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; bitter melon; BLOOD SERUM; CHOLESTEROL; Cholesterol - blood; Cholesterol, Dietary - administration & dosage; Cricetinae; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; EXTRACTS; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; hamster; HAMSTERS; Hypertriglyceridemia - drug therapy; Hypolipidemic Agents - administration & dosage; Hypolipidemic Agents - pharmacology; Hypolipidemic Agents - therapeutic use; Lipid Metabolism; lipid profiles; LIPIDS; Lipids - blood; liver; Liver - metabolism; Male; Mesocricetus; MOMORDICA CHARANTIA; Momordica charantia - chemistry; Plant Extracts - administration & dosage; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Random Allocation; serum; Triglycerides - blood; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Digestive system; Liver; Rodentia; Lipids; lipid profiles; Extract; Cholesterol; Feeding; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Diet; Animal; bitter melon; Serum; Hamster
• ISSN: 0301-4800; 1881-7742
• DOI: 10.3177/jnsv.50.253

The hypolipidemic effect of dietary methanol fraction (BMMF) extracted from bitter melon (Koimidori variety), at the levels of 0.5% and 1.0%, was examined in male golden Syrian hamsters fed diets supplemented with and without cholesterol. The feeding of BMMF at 0.5% and 1.0% levels in the diets for 4wk tended to reduce food intake and growth, although there was no difference in food efficiency (weight gain/food intake). An effect of dietary BMMF on serum triglyceride was not seen in hamsters fed diets free of cholesterol, while hypertriglyceridemia induced by dietary cholesterol was significantly lowered in a dose-dependent manner in those fed diets containing the BMMF. Serum total cholesterol concentration also tended to decrease in a dose-dependent manner following feeding of increasing amounts of BMMF in the presence and absence of cholesterol in the diet. The effects of dietary BMMF on liver triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were marginal, although dietary cholesterol caused a marked accumulation of these lipid molecules in the liver. These results suggest that the BMMF contains some components that could ameliorate lipid disorders such as hyperlipidemia.