Toxicological avaluation of anticancer α- Eleostearic acid rich fat extracted from seeds of Bitter Melon (Momordica Charantia) using a Mouse Model

5^th World Congress on Cancer Therapy

September 28-30, 2015 Atlanta, USA

K N K Ranasinghe

University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Cancer Sci Ther

Abstract :

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. In Sri Lanka burden of colorectal cancer is on the rise. Despite the availability of conventional treatments, a great deal of attention has been attracted by alternative treatment protocols using plant derivatives. Momordica Charantia (Bitter melon/bitter gourd: Family cucurbitaceae) a slender, climbing annual vine is a popular vegetablewith medicinal propertiesfound in tropical countries. A conjugated trienoicfatty acid, namely �±-Eleostearic Acid (�±-ESA) is the richest fatty acid in Momordica Charantia seed fat accounting for almost 60% of its total fatty acids. Recent studies have revealed potent anti-cancer properties of �±-ESA using in vitro and in vivo studies. Cytotoxic effects of �±-ESA on fibrosarcoma cells (HT 1080) was evaluated in our laboratory and revealed apotent cytotoxic action. Furthermore, in a Toxicological evaluation using a mouse model, continuous intake of �±-ESA �±rich seed fat did not exhibit any significant adverse effect as determined by presence of normal serum levels of enzymes namely SGOT, SGPT and level of serum creatinine. In addition, assessment of haematological parameters and histology of vital organs namely liver, kidney, heart and lung also did not reveal any adverse effect by ingestion of �±- ESA. These studies on safety assessment of �±- ESA pave the way for conducting further clinical trials in human subjects using �±- ESA rich seed fat of Momordica Charantia in future.

Biography :

K N K Ranasinghe has completed her BSc (sp) degee in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the age of 26 years from University of Peradeniya and postgraduate studies are currently conducting from the same university. She has published her undegraduate research and one manuscript was submitted for Journal of Ethnopharmacology.

Email: knkranasinghe@gmail.com