Bitter Melon Extract Shows Promise in Breast Cancer Treatment

Researchers at Saint Louis University have completed a study that shows an extract of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells in vitro. This study is to be published in the March 1edition of Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

The research shows the bitter melon prevents breast cancer cells from dividing and in some instances killed them. It did not affect the healthy breast cells. According to researchers, the next step will be to see if the bitter melon extract will show the same results in mice. If the animal studies go well, bitter melon extract may then be used in human studies.

The findings are significant since there are over 40,000 deaths from breast cancer annually in the United States alone. Bitter melon may not end up being a cure to breast cancer, but could be used as a preventative treatment to slow the course of the cancer. It will be years however, before animal and human testing can be completed and a treatment developed.

Bitter melon is widely used in Asia, India, and South America as a food source. Traditionally it has been used medicinally to treat diabetes.