title: Hypoglycemic effect of bitter melon compared with metformin in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) has been widely used as an traditional medicine treatment for diabetic patients in Asia. In vitro and animal studies suggested its hypoglycemic activity, but limited human studies are available to support its use.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of three doses of bitter melon compared with metformin.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a 4-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, active-control trial. Patients were randomized into 4 groups to receive bitter melon 500 mg/day, 1,000 mg/day, and 2,000 mg/day or metformin 1,000 mg/day. All patients were followed for 4 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant decline in fructosamine at week 4 of the metformin group (-16.8; 95% CI, -31.2, -2.4 μmol/L) and the bitter melon 2,000 mg/day group (-10.2; 95% CI, -19.1, -1.3 μmol/L). Bitter melon 500 and 1,000 mg/day did not significantly decrease fructosamine levels (-3.5; 95% CI -11.7, 4.6 and -10.3; 95% CI -22.7, 2.2 μmol/L, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bitter melon had a modest hypoglycemic effect and significantly reduced fructosamine levels from baseline among patients with type 2 diabetes who received 2,000 mg/day. However, the hypoglycemic effect of bitter melon was less than metformin 1,000 mg/day.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Naresuan University, Muang, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand. anjanaf@nu.ac.th
authors.forename: Anjana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fuangchan
authors.forename: Paveena
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sonthisombat
authors.forename: Tippawadee
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Seubnukarn
authors.forename: Rapeepan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chanouan
authors.forename: Pontap
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chotchaisuwat
authors.forename: Viruch
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sirigulsatien
authors.forename: Kornkanok
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ingkaninan
authors.forename: Pinyupa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Plianbangchang
authors.forename: Stuart T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Haines
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001208:Asia; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D019270:Fructosamine / Q000097:blood*; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008687:Metformin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D029775:Momordica; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D028321:Plant Preparations; D019270:Fructosamine; D008687:Metformin