Antioxidant activity of extracts of Momordica foetida Schumach. et Thonn.

Momordica foetida Schumach. et Thonn. (Cucurbitaceae) is a perennialclimbing herb with tendrils, found in swampy areas in Central Uganda. Antidiabetic andantilipogenic activities were reported for some Momordica species, however the mechanism of action is still unknown. Oxidative stress may represent an importantpathogenic mechanism in obesity-associated metabolic syndrome. The present studyevaluated 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 thisstudy suggested that aqueous extract might be useful in preventing metabolic syndrome.