Issue 23, 2022

Immunomodulatory effects and associated mechanisms of Momordica charantia and its phytochemicals

Abstract

Momordica charantia L. (M. charantia), which is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family and widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, has been consumed as a vegetable and also used as herbal medicine for thousands of years worldwide. M. charantia has received great attention in biological and biomedical research due to its remarkable antidiabetic/hypoglycaemic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral and antitumour activities both in vivo and in vitro. Numerous studies have revealed that the typical health-promoting activities of M. charantia are mainly attributed to its phytochemicals including saponins, proteins/peptides, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, triterpenoids and polysaccharides. In particular, it has been attested that there is a strong relationship between the antidiabetic activity and the saponins and proteins of M. charantia. In recent years, studies on the immunoenhancing and immunostimulating effects of M. charantia have attracted much attention and made significant progress. Therefore, this review focuses on the immunomodulatory effects and associated mechanisms of M. charantia and its bioactive phytochemicals. The clinical applications of M. charantia in immune-related diseases are also discussed, aiming to broaden the exploration of M. charantia as a functional food.

Graphical abstract: Immunomodulatory effects and associated mechanisms of Momordica charantia and its phytochemicals

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
20 Jul 2022
Accepted
02 Nov 2022
First published
09 Nov 2022

Food Funct., 2022,13, 11986-11998

Immunomodulatory effects and associated mechanisms of Momordica charantia and its phytochemicals

S. Wang, Q. Liu, T. Zeng, J. Zhan, H. Zhao, C. Ho, Y. Xiao and S. Li, Food Funct., 2022, 13, 11986 DOI: 10.1039/D2FO02096C

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