Phytotherapeutic Supplementation with Momordica charantia: Beneficial Effects in Patients with Suboptimal Glycemic Control on Double Antidiabetic Therapy-A Real-World Evidence Observational Study.

2026-01-19
Nutrients 18(2)
- Cosmin Mihai Vesa
- Timea Claudia Ghitea
- Ada Radu
- Andrei Flavius Radu
- Teodora Maria Bodog
- Ruxandra Florina Bodog
- Roxana Daniela Brata
- Cristiana Bustea

PubMed: 41599921
DOI: 10.3390/nu18020309

Study Design

Type: Observational
Sample size: n = 85
Population: patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving metformin therapy (70 with inadequate glycemic control received adjunctive Momordica charantia, 85 achieving glycemic targets continued dual therapy)
Methods: Real-world longitudinal comparative cohort study with treatment escalation; all patients initially prescribed add-on dapagliflozin 10 mg/day for 6 months, then based on glycemic response, intervention group received adjunctive standardized Momordica charantia extract for 3 months while control group continued dual antidiabetic therapy alone
Duration: 9 months
Funding: Unclear

Rigorous Journal

Background

Phytotherapeutic agents, including Momordica charantia, have been proposed as complementary strategies to enhance metabolic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients on oral antidiabetic drugs.

Methods

This was a real-world, longitudinal, comparative cohort study with treatment escalation, conducted in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving metformin therapy. All patients were initially prescribed add-on dapagliflozin at 10 mg/day and re-evaluated after 6 months. Based on glycemic response at 6 months, patients were stratified into two groups: 70 patients with persistent inadequate glycemic control received adjunctive supplementation with a standardized Momordica charantia extract for 3 months (intervention group), while 85 patients who achieved glycemic targets continued dual antidiabetic therapy alone (control group). Anthropometric, hemodynamic, and metabolic parameters were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 9 months from baseline.

Results

Between-group analyses revealed divergent glycemic trajectories during the 6-9 month interval. In the intervention group, HbA1c decreased from 7.82 ± 0.58% at baseline to 6.93 ± 0.30% at 6 months and to 6.34 ± 0.42% at 9 months, while in the control group, glycemic parameters showed only modest additional changes after 6 months. The reduction in HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose between 6 and 9 months was significantly greater in patients receiving Momordica charantia compared with controls (p < 0.001). Fasting plasma glucose declined from 138.4 ± 17.5 mg/dL at baseline to 122.3 ± 13.1 mg/dL at 6 months and to 113.3 ± 12.2 mg/dL at 9 months in the intervention group. Dapagliflozin therapy was associated with significant improvements in body weight, BMI, and blood pressure at 6 months in both groups, whereas adjunctive Momordica charantia supplementation did not produce significant additional effects on anthropometric or hemodynamic parameters.

Conclusions

Adjunctive Momordica charantia supplementation was associated with additional improvements in glycemic control compared with continuation of dual antidiabetic therapy alone, with the most pronounced effects observed for HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose. These findings support a potential adjunctive role for phytotherapeutic supplementation in patients with suboptimal glycemic control receiving contemporary standard therapy.

Research Insights

Bitter Melon→Improved Fasting Plasma Glucose
Fasting plasma glucose declined from 138.4 ± 17.5 mg/dL at baseline to 122.3 ± 13.1 mg/dL at 6 months and to 113.3 ± 12.2 mg/dL at 9 months in the intervention group
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
standardized extract (dose not specified in abstract)
Bitter Melon→Reduced HbA1c Level
HbA1c decreased from 7.82 ± 0.58% at baseline to 6.93 ± 0.30% at 6 months and to 6.34 ± 0.42% at 9 months
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Dose
standardized extract (dose not specified in abstract)