Protective effect of Momordica charantia fruit extract on TNFα-induced NF-κB activation and cardiomyocyte apoptosis

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Momordica charantia fruit extract on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced cardiac injury. Momordica charantia is reported to possess a number of pharmacological actions, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-hyperglycemic effects. However, the role of Momordica charantia in TNF alpha-induced cardiac apoptosis and oxidative stress has remained elusive. In the present study, H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes were stimulated by TNF alpha and treated with Momordica charantia. The results showed that Momordica charantia regulated the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax, and rescued H9c2 cells from apoptosis induced by TNF-alpha. In addition, Momordica charantia inhibited the ROS production induced by TNF alpha and increased the mRNA expression levels of antioxidant including superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase which were suppressed by TNF alpha. Furthermore, the activation and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) in TNF alpha-treated H9c2 cells were blocked by Momordica charantia treatment which was assessed by western blot and immunofluorescence staining. These results suggest that Momordica charantia protects cardiomyocytes from TNF alpha-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress, which may partly through the inhibition of NF-kappa B pathway.