Traditionally, bitter melon has helped treat many health concerns, and it has recently gained some popularity as a natural remedy against diabetes. Bitter guord, which is considered the traditional Indian treatment method for a wide range of diseases. Recently, Prof. Ratna Ray from Saint Louis University in Missouri and her colleagues made an intriguing find. In experiments using mouse models, bitter melon extract appeared to be effective in preventing cancer tumors from growing and spreading. Living a major part of her life growing up in India, she is well aware of the fame bitter gourds have gained in Indian cuisines and as a local remedy for a range of illnesses. Her curiosity was on rise on this topic for the very same reason which led her to more research and study on the same. She and her colleagues decided to put this to the test in a preliminary study by using bitter melon extract on various types of cancer cells including breast, prostate, and head and neck cancer cells. Laboratory tests showed that the extract stopped those cells from replicating, suggesting that it might be effective in preventing the spread of cancer. So, in their new study, Prof. Ray and team tried to find out what might give bitter melon compounds an edge against cancer cells. Natural products play a critical role in the discovery and development of numerous drugs for the treatment of various types of deadly diseases, including cancer. Therefore, the use of natural products as preventive medicine is becoming increasingly important. Prof. Ratna Ray. Prof. Ray seems convinced that the plant is, if nothing else, at least a positive contributor to personal health. All animal model studies that we've conducted are giving us similar results, an approximately 50% reduction in tumor growth,says Prof. Ray. It remains unclear whether or not bitter melon would have the same effect in humans, but Prof. Ray and colleagues explain that, going forward, this is what they are aiming to find out.
(Credit: www.medicalnewstoday.com)
