Abstract
Momordica charantia (MC) a traditional medicine used for the treatment of many disorders was fed to streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic male Wistar rats at 2, 5 and 10% of the standard diet. Rats were then observed for 12 weeks before sacrificed. Immediately, tissues from liver, kidney and pancreas were taken for histopathological examination. Serum samples were analyzed to evaluate liver, kidney and pancreatic functions. In addition, blood samples were collected to analyze hematology parameters. The results of the present study indicate that oral doses of MC at 5% and 10% of the daily diet resulted in alleviation of the pancreatic, hepatic and renal dysfunction induced by diabetes. The improved pancreatic, hepatic and renal functions were judged by histopathological, hematological and serobiochemical parameters. In conclusion, the MC fruits may be used as an antidiabetic herbal medicine.
Highlights
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a major metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia as a result of a relative or absolute lack of insulin or its actions [1] [2] [3] [4]
Momordica charantia (MC) a traditional medicine used for the treatment of many disorders was fed to streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic male Wistar rats at 2, 5 and 10% of the standard diet
The results of the present study indicate that oral doses of MC at 5% and 10% of the daily diet resulted in alleviation of the pancreatic, hepatic and renal dysfunction induced by diabetes
Summary
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a major metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia as a result of a relative or absolute lack of insulin or its actions [1] [2] [3] [4]. Momordica charantia (MC) (Figure 1), a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, is known as bitter melon, bitter gourd and Karelia. It grows in tropical areas of the Amazon, East Africa, Asia, India, South America, and the Caribbean, and is used traditionally as both food and medicine. The seeds, fruit, leaves and root of the plant have been used in traditional medicine for diabetes mellitus, anti-obesity, antimicrobial infections, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive and as cytotoxic agent for certain types of cancer [15] [17] [18] [19]. More research is needed to explain the hematological, serobiochemical and histopathological alterations associated with the use of MC as an antidiabetic herbal medicine
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