Researchers have discovered that bitter melon extract inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells in culture. The discovery may lead to effective chemotherapeutic agents to help fight the disease. The study, published in the journal Cancer Research, supports previous findings of the bitter melons potential for treating certain chronic conditions.

Bitter melon extract, known scientifically as Momordica charantia, is a common dietary supplement, used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM. In fact, previous studies have found that the extract affects the glycemic and lipid levels in the blood, and is used extensively in TCM, as well as folk remedies of India and Central America.

In the study in questions, researchers used human breast cancer cells in vitro and found that when they were exposed to the melon extract, their signaling pathways were affected in a way that their rate of growth and proliferation was decreased, leading to cell death. This suggests that the supplement might one day be used to help prevent tumor formation, though more research needs to be done to better understand the melon extracts mechanism against cancer cells, as well as its effectiveness in animal models and eventually, people, which are currently in the making.

Even still, experts contend that the findings warrant attention in light of the study’s simple design and clear cut results. Furthermore, because breast cancer is a significant cause of death in women around the world, the implications could be far reaching.

Bitter melon extract is derived from the sub-tropical fruit by the same name. The fruit has been used extensively in Asia, Africa, and South America for years. While in certain places it is used in cooking, it is also used for medicinal purposes, most commonly as an immunomodulator and for the treatment of diabetes. The extract has become popular as a food supplement in this country, and is known to contain antioxidants like vitamin C, flavonoids, and polyphenols.

Polyphenols are compounds that are believed to have antioxidant properties. One class of polyphenols are flavonoids, which are abundant in a variety of foods and beverages, which include citrus fruit, berries, tea, chocolate, and red wine. Antioxidants have received a great deal of attention lately because of their supposed benefits in preventing numerous chronic diseases, including breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, second only to lung cancer. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that one in every eight women is affected by it. While the exact cause is not known, certain risk factors predispose a person to it. These include being overweight, hormone therapy, birth control, alcohol, and cigarettes. The risk for breast cancer increases with age, and though it can affect men, the incidence of male breast cancer is rare.

If you have questions or concerns about breast cancer, speak with your doctor, and visit the websites for the National Library of Medicine and the American Cancer Society.