Methanolic Extracts of Bitter Melon Inhibit Colon Cancer Stem Cells by Affecting Energy Homeostasis and Autophagy
Figure 1
Bitter melon extract inhibits colon cancer cell proliferation and clonogenicity. (a) Bitter melon extract inhibits proliferation of colon cancer cells. Cells were incubated with increasing doses (0–500 μg/mL) of bitter melon whole fruit (BMW) or skin (BMSk) extracts for 48 h and analyzed for cell proliferation. Bitter melon extract treatment resulted in a significant dose-dependent decrease in cell proliferation in both HT-29 and SW480 cells when compared with untreated controls. BMW is better in inhibiting cell proliferation. The extracts did not affect the proliferation of human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cells suggesting a lack of toxicity in normal cells. (b) Bitter melon extract affects clonogenicity. Colon cancer cells were incubated with 100 μg/mL of bitter melon extract for 48 h and subsequently allowed to grow into colonies for 7 days. Incubation with bitter melon extract inhibits colony formation. Results are representative of three independent experiments.
