Bitter Melon (Momordica Charantia) Supplementation Has no Effect on Hypercholesterolemia and Atherosclerosis in Mice

Momordica Charantia, commonly known as bitter melon, has been reported to ameliorate diet-induced obesity and dyslipidemia. However, the effects of M. Charantia on atherosclerosis have not been determined. This study investigated the effects of M. Charantia on diet-induced atherosclerosis in LDL receptor deficient mice. Female mice (6-8 weeks old) were fed a saturated fat-enriched diet. In group 1, mice were fed this diet alone, while mice in groups 2 and 3 were fed the diet supplemented with M. Charantia at either 0.1% or 1% wt/wt, respectively, for 12 weeks. No significant differences in body weights were observed between groups. There were also no significant differences in plasma cholesterol concentrations among the 3 groups. To determine the effects on atherosclerosis, lesion areas were measured on aortic intima by an en face technique. Neither of the doses of M. Charantia supplementation changed atherosclerosis development.