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Updated: May 29, 2026
An Orthotopic Murine Model of Human Prostate Cancer Metastasis
Published on: September 18, 2013
Bitter melon extract impairs prostate cancer cell-cycle progression and delays prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia in
Peng Ru1, Robert Steele, Pratibha V Nerurkar
1Department of Pathology, Saint Louis University, 1100 South Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
Abstract:
Prostate cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths among American men. Earlier diagnosis increases survival rate in patients. However, treatments for advanced disease are limited to hormone ablation techniques and palliative care. Thus, new methods of treatment and prevention are necessary for inhibiting disease progression to a hormone refractory state. One of the approaches to control prostate cancer is prevention through diet, which inhibits one or more neoplastic events and reduces the cancer risk. For centuries, Ayurveda has recommended the use of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) as a functional food to prevent and treat human health related issues. In this study, we have initially used human prostate cancer cells, PC3 and LNCaP, as an in vitro model to assess the efficacy of bitter melon extract (BME) as an anticancer agent. We observed that prostate cancer cells treated with BME accumulate during the S phase of the cell cycle and modulate cyclin D1, cyclin E, and p21 expression. Treatment of prostate cancer cells with BME enhanced Bax expression and induced PARP cleavage. Oral gavage of BME, as a dietary compound, delayed the progression to high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia in TRAMP (transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate) mice (31%). Prostate tissue from BME-fed mice displayed approximately 51% reduction of proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression. Together, our results suggest for the first time that oral administration of BME inhibits prostate cancer progression in TRAMP mice by interfering cell-cycle progression and proliferation.
Insights
Bitter melon extract (BME) shows promise in preventing prostate cancer progression. Studies indicate BME inhibits cancer cell growth and proliferation, offering a potential dietary approach for cancer prevention.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dietary Interventions
- Cancer Prevention
Background:
- Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in men, with limited treatment options for advanced stages.
- Dietary prevention strategies are crucial for inhibiting cancer progression and reducing risk.
- Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) is a functional food with a history of use in traditional medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of bitter melon extract (BME) as an anticancer agent against prostate cancer.
- To assess BME's effects on prostate cancer cell cycle progression and apoptosis.
- To evaluate BME's preventive potential in a mouse model of prostate cancer.
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies using human prostate cancer cell lines (PC3 and LNCaP).
- Analysis of cell cycle phase distribution and expression of key regulatory proteins (cyclins, p21, Bax, PARP).
- In vivo studies using TRAMP (transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate) mice fed with BME, assessing tumor progression and proliferation markers.
Main Results:
- BME treatment caused S-phase arrest in prostate cancer cells, modulating cyclin D1, cyclin E, and p21 expression.
- BME induced apoptosis in cancer cells, evidenced by increased Bax expression and PARP cleavage.
- Oral BME administration delayed high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia progression in TRAMP mice by 31% and reduced proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression by 51%.
Conclusions:
- Bitter melon extract demonstrates significant anticancer properties against prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo.
- BME inhibits prostate cancer progression by interfering with cell-cycle progression and proliferation.
- Dietary administration of BME represents a novel preventive strategy for prostate cancer.
