Bitter Melon Enhances Natural Killer–Mediated Toxicity against Head and Neck Cancer Cells

Abstract

Natural Killer (NK) cells are one of the major components of innate immunity, with the ability to mediate antitumor activity. Understanding the role of NK cell mediated tumor killing in controling of solid tumor growth is still in the developmental stage. We have shown recently that bitter melon extract (BME) modulates the regulatory T cell (Treg) population in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the role of BME in NK cell modulation against HNSCC remains unknown. In this study, we investigated whether BME can enhance the NK cell killing activity against HNSCC cells. Our results indicated that treatment of human NK cell line (NK3.3) with BME enhances ability to kill HNSCC cells. BME increases granzyme B accumulation and translocation/accumulation of CD107a/LAMP1 in NK3.3 cells exposed to BME. Further, an increase in cell surface expression of CD16 and NKp30 in BME treated NK3.3 cells was observed when co-cultured with HNSCC cells. Collectively, our results demonstrated for the first time that BME augments NK cell mediated HNSCC killing activity, implicating an immunomodulatory role of BME.

Indomethacin and juglone inhibit inflammatory molecules to induce apoptosis in colon cancer cells

“…[9,10] Regular intake of indomethacin may, however, result in side effects, especially, gastric ulceration [11] by decreasing blood flow into the mucosal regions and increasing gastric juice volume, leading to decrease in gastric pH. [14][15][16] Recently, compounds isolated from natural products were found to be beneficial in treating various metabolic diseases, including cancer. [14][15][16] Recently, compounds isolated from natural products were found to be beneficial in treating various metabolic diseases, including cancer.…”

“…[12,13] A regimen using natural diet, rich in greens, fruits, and nuts potentially reduces the risk of cancer progression through their anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory properties along with altered molecular signaling pathways. [14][15][16] Recently, compounds isolated from natural products were found to be beneficial in treating various metabolic diseases, including cancer. [17,18] Juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), present in the roots, leaves, nut hulls, bark, and wood of the black walnuts, possesses antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, diuretic, and laxative properties.…”

Modulatory effects of Momordica balsamina on Th1/Th2 cytokine profiles in immune-challenged rats

“…Augmented cell-mediated and antibody-mediated immunity evident by increased Delayed Type Hypersensitivity (DTH) and Haemagglutinating Antibody Titre (HAT), respectively, was observed after oral administration of Momordica charantia to immunized rats (Prasad et al, 2010). Moreover, the immune-promoting properties of M. charantia were demonstrated by enhancing natural killer cells level, IL23a and IL1β expression in cancer patients (Bhattacharya et al, 2017;Rao, 2018). Polysaccharide of M. charantia significantly increased the carbolic particle clearance index, spleen index, thymus index and NK cell cytotoxicity to normal control levels in immunosuppressed mice (Deng et al, 2014).…”

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia): a natural healthy vegetable

“…Against neck and head cancer cells, the supplements of BM (bitter melon) ameliorates the natural killer-mediated toxicity. [108] In the nutshell, cancer insurgence can be prevented with the help of bitter melon. However, most of the results are derived from animal modeling thus there is dire need of the time to conduct controlled randomized trials to warrant its application in chemotherapy for human subjects.…”