Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)

Kim et al. (Complement Ther Med, 2020; PMID 32951763): 90 adults with type 2 diabetes, extract for 12 weeks; HbA1c did not change in either group, and the fasting glucose fall (P = 0.014) is reported within the bitter melon group with no between-group difference against placebo stated. Pooled, positive: Peter et al. (J Ethnopharmacol, 2019; PMID 30385422), 10 trials, 1,045 patients, single-herb preparations lowered fasting glucose 0.72 mmol/L, postprandial glucose and HbA1c (0.26 percent) versus placebo, evidence rated low to very low quality; Zhang et al. (Heliyon, 2024; PMID 38784554), 8 trials, 423 patients, fasting glucose 0.85 mmol/L and HbA1c 0.38 percent lower, heterogeneity high. Pooled, null: Laczko-Zold et al. (Front Nutr, 2023; PMID 38274207), 9 trials, 414 patients, no effect on fasting glucose (0.03 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.38 to 0.31) or HbA1c in change-score analysis; Ooi et al. (Cochrane, 2012; PMID 22895968), 4 trials, 479 participants, no significant difference from placebo, metformin or glibenclamide, risk of bias high, no preparation tested twice. Prediabetes: Mes et al. (J Ethnopharmacol, 2025; PMID 40199408), a 4-week crossover (30 adults) null, and a 12-week parallel trial (38 adults) with lower fasting glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR on freeze-dried whole fruit. Grade C: randomized trials and pooled analyses that disagree, on surrogate measures, across preparations that are not interchangeable.