The MAP30 protein from bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) seeds promotes apoptosis in liver cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Human hepatocellular carcinoma Hep G2 cells and Hep G2-bearing mice were used as in vitro and in vivo models to assess the efficacy and safety of MAP30, a natural component from Momordica charantia, as an anticancer agent against liver cancer. Molecular studies disclosed the contribution of both caspase-8 regulated extrinsic and caspase-9 regulated intrinsic caspase cascades in MAP30-induced cell apoptosis. The antitumor potential was also effective in Hep G2-bearing nude mice. Since bitter gourd is a staple in many Asian countries, MAP30 would serve as a novel and relatively safe agent for prophylaxis and treatment of liver cancer.

Fang EF ，Zhang CZ ，Wong JH ，Shen JY ，Li CH ，Ng TB ... -  《-》

In vitro and in vivo anticarcinogenic effects of RNase MC2, a ribonuclease isolated from dietary bitter gourd, toward human liver cancer cells.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) constitutes a predominant part of primary liver cancer which ranks as the fifth most common cancer as well as the third most common cause of cancer mortality. In view of the poor prognosis of unresectable liver cancers, it is of pivotal importance to develop novel chemotherapeutical regimens. RNase MC2 is a 14-kDa ribonuclease isolated from dietary bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) that manifested antitumor potential against breast cancers. In this study, we investigated the potential application of RNase MC2 on Hep G2 cells. We showed that RNase MC2 inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in both in vitro and in vivo studies. RNase MC2 treatment caused cell cycle arrest predominantly at the S-phase and apoptosis, which is associated with the activation of both caspase-8 and caspase-9 regulated caspase pathways. Our further investigation disclosed that RNase MC2 down-regulated the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and increased the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bak. Moreover, the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK was involved in the apoptosis process. Importantly, RNase MC2 significantly suppressed the growth of Hep G2 xenograft-bearing nude mice by inducing apoptosis. This notion is supported by data indicating an increased number of caspase-3- and PARP-positive cells, and TUNEL-positive cells in RNase MC2-treated tumor tissues. In summary, we have revealed the antitumor potential of RNase MC2 toward Hep G2 cells. Considering that bitter gourd is a common dietary component in many countries, this study may help to prompt the clinical application of RNase MC2.

Fang EF ，Zhang CZ ，Zhang L ，Fong WP ，Ng TB ... -  《-》

MAP30 protein from Momordica charantia is therapeutic and has synergic activity with cisplatin against ovarian cancer in vivo by altering metabolism and inducing ferroptosis.

Increasing evidence shows that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has an obvious appeal for cancer treatment, but there is still a lack of scientific investigation of its underlying molecular mechanisms. Bitter melon or bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) is an edible fruit that is commonly consumed, and it is used to cure different diseases in various ancient folk medical practices. We report that a bioactive protein, MAP30, isolated from bitter melon seeds exhibited potent anticancer and anti-chemoresistant effects on ovarian cancer cells. Functional studies revealed that MAP30 inhibited cancer cell migration, cell invasion, and cell proliferation in various ovarian cancer cells but not normal immortalized ovarian epithelial cells. When administered with cisplatin, MAP30 produced a synergistic effect on cisplatin-induced cell cytotoxicity in ovarian cancer cells. When low doses of cisplatin and MAP30 were co-injected intraperitoneally, a remarkable reduction of tumor dissemination and tumor growth was observed in an ovarian cancer ascites mouse model. Notably, blood tests confirmed that MAP30 did not cause any adverse effects on liver and kidney functions in the treated mice. MAP30 activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling via CaMKKβ and induced cell cycle arrest in the S-phase. MAP30 modulated cell metabolism of ovarian cancer cells via suppression of GLUT-1/-3-mediated glucose uptake, adipogenesis, and lipid droplet formation in tumor development and progression. MAP30 also induced an increase in intracellular Ca2+ ion concentration, which triggered ROS-mediated cancer cell death via apoptosis and ferroptosis. Collectively, these findings suggest that natural MAP30 is a non-toxic supplement that may enhance chemotherapeutic outcomes and benefit ovarian cancer patients with peritoneal metastases.

Chan DW ，Yung MM ，Chan YS ，Xuan Y ，Yang H ，Xu D ，Zhan JB ，Chan KK ，Ng TB ，Ngan HY ... -  《-》

RNase MC2: a new Momordica charantia ribonuclease that induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells associated with activation of MAPKs and induction of caspase pathways.

Fang EF ，Zhang CZ ，Fong WP ，Ng TB ... -  《-》

Α-MMC and MAP30, two ribosome-inactivating proteins extracted from Momordica charantia, induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in A549 human lung carcinoma cells.

Fan X ，He L ，Meng Y ，Li G ，Li L ，Meng Y ... -  《-》