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PreDiabetesNCT05540405

Effects of Bitter Melon on Cardiometabolic Health

A study testing Low-dose bitter melon and High-dose bitter melon in people with PreDiabetes, run by Midwest Center for Metabolic and Cardiovascular Research at 3 sites in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The objectives of this study are to assess the effects of a bitter melon product at two doses, compared to control, on indicators of cardiometabolic health among men and women with prediabetes. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 74 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
PreDiabetes
What is being tested?
Low-dose bitter melon and High-dose bitter melon
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
75 participants
Where
3 sitesUnited States
Study dates
24 Jan 2023to 24 May 2023
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 74 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Male or female 18 to 74 years of age, inclusive.
  • Subject has BMI 25.00 to 39.99 kg/m2, inclusive.
  • Subject has prediabetes defined as fasting capillary glucose 100 to 125 mg/dL, inclusive, and/or HbA1c 5.7% to 6.4%, inclusive, at screening.
  • Subject is judged by the Investigator to be in generally good health on the basis of medical history and screening measurements.
  • Subject is willing to abstain from consumption of bitter melon (other than the study products) throughout the study.
  • Subject is willing and able to undergo the scheduled study procedures.
  • Subject understands the study procedures and signs forms documenting informed consent to participate in the study and authorization for release of relevant protected health information to the study Investigator.

Who cannot join

  • Subject has consumed a bitter melon food or product within 8 weeks prior to the screening visit (week -1) (washout permitted).
  • Subject has a laboratory test result of clinical significance based on the judgment of the Principal Investigator or qualified designee.
  • Subject has a clinically significant medical condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, could interfere with the interpretation of the study results.
  • Subject has uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥160 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥100 mm Hg) at screening.
  • Subject has a history of cancer in the prior 5 years, except non-melanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix.
  • Subject has had a weight change of +/-4.5 kg (10 lbs) in the previous 3 months.
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  • Subject has extreme dietary habits (e.g., Atkins, vegan, very low carbohydrate diet).
  • Subject has a history of bariatric surgery, is currently taking a weight loss drug, or is actively attempting to lose or gain body weight.
  • Subject has taken a proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor agent within 12 weeks prior to screening.
  • Subject has unstable use (defined as initiation or change in dose) of the following lipid-altering medications within 4 weeks prior to screening: bile acid sequestrants, fibrates, niacin (drug form), statins, ezetimibe, bempedoic acid, or omega-3-ethyl ester drugs.
  • Subject has taken any hypoglycemic medications within 4 weeks prior to screening including: insulin, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2)-inhibitors, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, biguanides, thiazolidinediones, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, meglitinides, sulfonylureas, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) modulators.
  • Subject has unstable use (defined as initiation or change in dose) of anti-hypertensive medications within 4 weeks prior to screening.
  • Subject has used systemic corticosteroids within 4 weeks prior to screening.
  • Subject has taken dietary supplements meant to regulate carbohydrate or lipid metabolism or body weight, within 4 weeks of screening, including, but not limited to, chromium picolinate, ginseng, starch blockers, omega-3 fatty acid supplements (e.g., flaxseed, fish or algal oils), red rice yeast supplements, garlic supplements, soy isoflavone supplements, niacin or its analogues at doses >400 mg/day, plant sterol or stanols, and/or irregular or inconsistent use of Metamucil® or other viscous fiber-containing supplements (consistent, daily use up to 1 teaspoon of a viscous-fiber supplement is acceptable).
  • Subject has signs or symptoms of an active infection of clinical significance or has taken antibiotics within 5 days prior to any visit (washout is permitted for re-scheduling of the clinic visit).
  • Subject has an allergy, sensitivity or intolerance to any components of the study products.
  • Subject is a female who is pregnant, planning to be pregnant during the study period, lactating, or is of childbearing potential and is unwilling to commit to the use of a medically approved form of contraception throughout the study period.
  • Subject has been exposed to any non-registered drug product within 30 days prior to screening.
  • Subject has a current or recent history (within 12 months prior to screening) or strong potential for illicit drug or excessive alcohol intake defined as >14 drinks per week (1 drink = 12 oz beer, 5 oz wine, or 1.5 oz hard liquor).
  • Subject has a condition the Investigator believes would interfere with his or her ability to provide informed consent, comply with the study protocol, which might confound the interpretation of the study results or put the person at undue risk.

Trial locations and contacts

3 sites in 1 country.

United States3 sites
  • Biofortis, Inc.

    Addison, Illinois, 60101

  • Excellence Medical & Research

    Miami Gardens, Florida, 33169

  • Health Awareness

    Port Saint Lucie, Florida, 34952

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: A Randomized, Double-blind, Controlled, Parallel-arm Trial to Assess the Effects of a Bitter Melon Product at Two Doses vs. Control on Indicators of Cardiometabolic Health in Men and Women With Prediabetes

The objectives of this study are to assess the effects of a bitter melon product at two doses, compared to control, on indicators of cardiometabolic health among men and women with prediabetes.

Conditions
PreDiabetes
Being tested
Low-dose bitter melon, High-dose bitter melon, Placebo
Medical subject headings
Prediabetic State

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Low-dose bitter melonDietary supplement

    Subject will receive 1 Insumate bitter melon capsule/d (300 mg) and 1 placebo capsule/d (300 mg)

  • High-dose bitter melonDietary supplement

    Subject will receive 2 Insumate bitter melon capsules/d (300 mg each)

  • PlaceboDietary supplement

    Subject will receive 2 placebo capsules/d (300 mg each)

Study groups in NCT05540405
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Low-dose bitter melonExperimentalSubject will receive 1 Insumate bitter melon capsule/d (300 mg) and 1 placebo capsule/d (300 mg)
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Low-dose bitter melon
High-dose bitter melonExperimentalSubject will receive 2 Insumate bitter melon capsules/d (300 mg each)
Receives: Dietary Supplement: High-dose bitter melon
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorSubject will receive 2 placebo capsules/d (300 mg each)
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)

    Change in HbA1c

    Measured: Baseline to 12 weeks

Secondary outcomes (12)
  1. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)

    Change in HbA1c

    Measured: Baseline to 6 weeks

  2. Fasting glucose

    Change in fasting glucose

    Measured: Baseline up to 12 weeks

  3. Fasting insulin

    Change in fasting insulin

    Measured: Baseline up to 12 weeks

  4. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin sensitivity (HOMA%S)

    Change in HOMA%S

    Measured: Baseline up to 12 weeks

  5. Homeostasis model assessment of beta-cell function (HOMA%B)

    Change in HOMA%B

    Measured: Baseline up to 12 weeks

  6. Total cholesterol

    Change in total cholesterol

    Measured: Baseline up to 12 weeks

  7. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)

    Change in LDL-C

    Measured: Baseline up to 12 weeks

  8. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)

    Change in HDL-C

    Measured: Baseline up to 12 weeks

  9. Non-HDL-C

    Change in non-HDL-C

    Measured: Baseline up to 12 weeks

  10. Fasting triglycerides

    Change in triglycerides

    Measured: Baseline up to 12 weeks

  11. Body fat

    Change in body fat

    Measured: Baseline up to 12 weeks

  12. Skeletal muscle mass

    Change in skeletal muscle mass

    Measured: Baseline up to 12 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted14 Sep 2022
  2. Study start24 Jan 2023
  3. Primary completion24 May 2023
  4. Study completion24 May 2023

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
75 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05540405
Sponsor's protocol ID
MB-2202
Status last verified
May 2023
First submitted
9 Sep 2022
Last updated
31 May 2023
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Guarneiri LL, Wilcox ML, Kuan CM, Maki KC. Investigation of the Influence of a Bitter Melon Product on Indicators of Cardiometabolic Health in Adults with Prediabetes. J Am Nutr Assoc. 2025 May-Jun;44(4):306-314. doi: 10.1080/27697061.2024.2428301. Epub 2024 Nov 13.

    PubMed 39536276

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Low-dose bitter melon and High-dose bitter melon in people with PreDiabetes, run by Midwest Center for Metabolic and Cardiovascular Research at 3 sites in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 20 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 31 May 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 3 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (time frame: Baseline to 12 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05540405, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 31 May 2023.

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