fig2

Figure 2. Effect of bitter melon on pre-clinical oral cancer models. A: Xenograft model where human OSCC Cal27 cells were implanted subcutaneously into the flank of athymic nude mice. The mice were divided into a control group and a BME-fed group after palpable tumor formation. Representative images show regression of tumor growth in the BME-fed group^[29]; B: Syngeneic model where SCCVII cells were injected subcutaneously into the flank of immune-competent mice. Representative images show inhibition of tumor growth following BME treatment through oral gavage^[30]; C: Immune-competent mice were given a tobacco-associated carcinogen, either 4-NQO (50 μg/mL) alone or both 4-NQO and BME through drinking water. After the 22nd week, invasive tongue squamous cell carcinomas were noted in the cancer group, whereas there was no change in the BME-fed group^[35].