charantin

**Charantin** is a plant-derived steroidal glycoside preparation isolated principally from *Momordica charantia* (bitter melon). The commonly used chemical definition is a naturally occurring mixture of beta-sitosteryl glucoside and stigmasteryl glucoside. It has been investigated preclinically for metabolic effects, including antihyperglycemic and lipid-lowering activity. In a high-lipid-diet rat model, charantin reduced circulating cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and VLDL while increasing HDL; reported mechanistic findings included reduced HMGCR, PCSK9, and APOB expression and increased LDLR and PPAR-alpha expression. Charantin is not an established approved pharmaceutical product for hyperlipidemia or diabetes.

Other names

charantin