Effectiveness of Antihyperglycemic Effect of Momordica charantia: Implication of T-Cell Cytokines.

Rufine Fachinan,Akadiri Yessoufou,Kabirou Moutairou,Magloire Pandoua Nekoua

doi:10.1155/2017/3707046

Abstract

Background/Objective We investigate the effect of antidiabetic Momordica charantia fruit juice on T cells' differentiation, through plasmatic cytokine quantification in type 1 diabetic rats (T1D). Methods Male Wistar rats were rendered diabetic by the injection of five low doses of streptozotocin. Then, animals were treated with Momordica charantia fruit juice for 28 consecutive days. Plasmatic levels of Th1 interleukin- (IL-) 02 and interferon- (IFN-) γ, Th2 (IL-4), and regulatory (IL-10) cytokines were determined in rats. Results We observed that fruit juice induced a significant decrease in blood glucose of T1D rats. Besides, the concentrations of IL-2 and IFN-γ significantly increased while those of IL-4 and IL-10 diminished in diabetic rats compared to control animals. Interestingly, after treatment with Momordica charantia fruit juice, IL-4 and IL-10 levels significantly increased in diabetic rats, while IL-2 and IFN-γ concentrations decreased, suggesting a Th2 phenotype in these animals. Phytochemical analysis of the fruit juice revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, and coumarins, compounds which possess antioxidant activity. Conclusion This study shows that Momordica charantia fruit juice, by lowering the hyperglycemia, induced a shift of proinflammatory Th1 phenotype in T1D rats towards a favorable anti-inflammatory Th2 status. These effects might be due to the presence of antioxidant compounds in the juice and confirms the use of this plant in the treatment of autoimmune type 1 diabetes.

Highlights

Medicinal plants in developing countries are often used for primary health care as an alternative option to modern synthetic drugs that are more costly
The glycemia was significant decreased to normal level in diabetic rats treated with M. charantia fruit juice (Figure 1)
There was no significant difference in the glycemia of control animals treated or not with M. charantia fruit juice (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

Medicinal plants in developing countries are often used for primary health care as an alternative option to modern synthetic drugs that are more costly. We have previously undertaken studies and demonstrated the antihyperglycemic effects of three African medicinal plants in diabetic pregnancy in rats [1]. M. charantia fruit juice has been shown to induce regeneration of pancreatic beta cells in streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic rats [8]. M. charantia (karela) fruit extract has exhibited hypotriglyceridemic and hypocholesterolemic effects of antidiabetes in STZ-induced diabetic rats [9]. It significantly stimulated both the storage of glycogen in the liver [10] and insulin secretion by β cells isolated from the islets of Langerhans [11]. It is well known that naıve T-helper cell (Th0)

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Conclusion