Abstract:

Momordica charantia has various bioactive compounds. In this study cytotoxic effects of the root, seed, leaf and fruit parts of the plant against neuroblastoma cells were investigated. Also total phenolic and flavonoid contents of different parts of Momordica charantia extract. According to cytotoxicity results, higher concentrations of all parts of Momordica charantia showed similar cytotoxicity against SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. However, cytotoxicity of the root extract was higher than 50% in 500 µg/ml concentration, and also at the same concentration induces proliferation of ECV304 control cells. According to our results, the leaf part of Momordica charantia plant is rich with flavonoid and phenolic contents. However, its cytotoxic effect on SH-SY5Y cells is lower than the root extract. Also, while Momordica charantia root extract increased Akt1 gene expression, it decreased expression levels of BAD and caspase-3 genes in these cells. In conclusion, Momordica charantia root extract can induces apoptosis through p38 MAPK pathway in SH-SY5Y cells by considering the results.

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