Ayurvedic Herbs Research-
Induction of tumor cytotoxic immune cells using
a protein from Momordica charantia.

ABSTRACT:

The fruit and seeds of the bitter melon Momordica charantia have been reported to have anti-leukemic and antiviral activities.

This anti-leukemic and antiviral action was associated with an activation of murine lymphocytes. A partially purified protein factor from the bitter melon caused an infiltration and activation of peritoneal exudate cells in C57B1/6J, C3H/HeJ, and C3H/HeN mice.

When the extract was injected twice a week at 8 micrograms of protein per ip injection for 0-4 weeks, the peritoneal exudate cells from the treated mice were cytotoxic in a long-term (18-hr) 51 Cr-release assay against a range of labeled targets: L1210, P388, and MOLT-4 tumor cells.

Cytotoxicity was also observed against TAC-1 targets in a short-term (4-hr) assay.

Fractionation of the cytotoxic immune cells implicated a non-adherent cell population which was capable of killing an NK-sensitive cell line in a 4-hr 51 Cr-release assay. Unit gravity sedimentation studies indicated that the cytotoxicity was due to either a neutrophil or a large lymphocyte. Antibody depletion experiments using antibody to asialo GM1, an NK cell-specific antibody, depleted cytotoxicity observed in non-adherent, Ficoll/Hypaque-separated PEC.

This suggests that at least part of the anti-leukemic activity of the bitter melon extract Momordica charantia is due to the activation of NK cells in the host mouse.

Cunnick, J.E.; Sakamoto, K.; Chapes, S.K.; Fortner, G.W. Takemoto, DJ Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506. Cell Immunol 1990 Apr 1;126(2):278-89. NLM CIT.ID: 90182679