Investigation of the Hypoglycemic Effect of a Bitter Melon Extract in Subjects With Prediabetes: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, and Double-Blind Trial

Objectives: Previous assessments of bitter melon in individuals with prediabetes used the whole fruit extracts, which contained flavonoids and phenolics rather than peptides. This clinical research investigated the effect of a bitter melon (Momordica charantia) seed extract (BMSE), standardized with a specific peptide called mcIRBP-19, on glycemia in individuals with prediabetes. Methods: Seventy-five participants with prediabetes (HbA1c 5.7% to 6.4% and/or fasting capillary glucose of 100 to 125 mg/dL) were randomly assigned to supplementation with the placebo, low dose BMSE (300 mg/day), or high dose BMSE (600 mg/day) daily for twelve weeks. A fasted blood sample was obtained at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Results: The high-dose (1.05% ± 10.2%) and low-dose BMSE (3.35% ± 13.2%) groups showed smaller increases in blood glucose levels at 12 weeks, compared to placebo (11.0% ± 16.3%) (p < 0.05). A subgroup analysis of participants with age ≥ the median demonstrated a greater reduction in glycated hemoglobin at 12 weeks in the high-dose BMSE (median change: -0.20%; IQRL: -0.20%, -0.05%) vs. control (median change: 0.00%; IQRL: -0.10%, 0.20%) groups (p = 0.017). Conclusions: In short, this pioneering study demonstrated that BMSE has potential to help maintain a healthy level of glucose in adults with prediabetes. Funding Sources: This study was sponsored by Greenyn Biotechnology Co., Ltd.