title: Antioxidant activity of extracts of Momordica foetida Schumach. et Thonn.
abstract: Momordica foetida Schumach. et Thonn. (Cucurbitaceae) is a perennial climbing herb with tendrils, found in swampy areas in Central Uganda. Antidiabetic and antilipogenic activities were reported for some Momordica species, however the mechanism of action is still unknown. Oxidative stress may represent an important pathogenic mechanism in obesity-associated metabolic syndrome. The present study evaluated free radical scavenging capacity of different concentrations of aqueous, methanolic and dichloromethane leaf extracts of Momordica foetida Schumach. et Thonn. and the ability of these extracts to inhibit in vitro plasma lipid peroxidation; in addition, healthy human adipose mesenchymal stem cell cultures were used in order to test the hypothesis that these extracts may affect adipocyte differentiation. Results obtained in this study suggested that aqueous extract might be useful in preventing metabolic syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Science-Biochemistry Section, University of Catania, Catania 95125, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosaria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Acquaviva
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Giacomo
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vanella
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Santangelo
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sorrenti
authors.forename: Ignazio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Barbagallo
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Genovese
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mastrojeni
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ragusa
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Iauk
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000737:chemistry; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D029775:Momordica / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000737:chemistry; D013481:Superoxides / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols; D013481:Superoxides