A triterpenoid containing bitter melon (Momordica charantia) seed (BMS) extract was found to reduce cultured 3T3-L1 cell viability. The 50% lethal concentration values were determined to be 0.78 ± 0.01 mg/mL at 24 hours, 0.69 ± 0.01 mg/mL at 48 hours, and 0.56 ± 0.02 mg/mL at 72 hours. 3T3-L1 cells were utilized as models of pre-adipocyte to adipocyte differentiation. BMS extract also caused a G2/M arrest in the cell cycle reducing cells by 23.9%, 37.7%, and 34.7% compared with the control after 72 hours of treatment at concentrations of 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6 mg/mL respectively. BMS extract did not increase the release of lactate dehydrogenase from 3T3-L1 cells, which was unexpected. Furthermore, BMS extract reduced lipid accumulation during differentiation from pre-adipocyte to adipocyte corresponding to reduction in overall triglyceride of 32.4% after 72 hours compared with untreated control cells. BMS is an underutilized agricultural commodity that may have potential for nutraceutical and functional food development.
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