*Article* **BG-4 from Bitter Gourd (***Momordica charantia***) Di** ff**erentially A** ff**ects Inflammation In Vitro and In Vivo**

#### **Andrea Nieto-Veloza 1, Zhihong Wang 1, Qixin Zhong 1, Hari B. Krishnan 2 and Vermont P. Dia 1,\***


Received: 13 May 2019; Accepted: 11 June 2019; Published: 14 June 2019

**Abstract:** BG-4 isolated from bitter gourd has been reported for anti-cancer properties. The objective was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of BG-4 in vitro and in vivo. Comparative study of the anti-inflammatory properties of BG-4 in vitro and in vivo was conducted on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated mouse macrophages, and on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. BG-4 reduced the production of pro-inflammatory markers in LPS-activated macrophages. On the other hand, intraperitoneal administration of BG-4 in DSS-induced colitis led to colon shortening, elevated neutrophils infiltration and myeloperoxidase activity, presence of blood in the stool, and loss of body weight, with di fferential systemic and local e ffects on pro-inflammatory cytokines in vivo. The results demonstrated that BG-4 di fferentially a ffected inflammation in vitro and in vivo.

**Keywords:** BG-4; bitter gourd; colitis; inflammation; macrophages
