Effects of Momordica <i>Charantia </i><i>o</i><i>n</i> Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Rats: Role of Insulin, Oxidative Stress and Nitric Oxide

Abstract

Oxidative stress associated with insulin -dependent diabetes mellitus is a risk for vascular disorders and diabetic nephropathy. Bitter melon(BME) is a widely used as antioxidant and vasorelaxant. This study to evaluate hypoglycemic, hypolipedimic and antioxidant effects of aqueous Momordica charantia extract against streptozotocin (STZ) induced dia- betes in male rats and explore possible effect of BME on insulin and nitric oxide release. Method: This study was carried on 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 80-90 g, 60 days old, classified into 3 groups, control, diabetic and treated diabetic group. STZ was given in a dose of 30 mg/kg for 2 consecutive days intraperitoneally (IP). Result: STZ produced a significant increase in serum glucose , triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), urea and creatinine (Cr), significant increase in renal reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), significant decrease in insulin levels, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and erythrocyte glutathione-S-transferase (EGST)) activities. Oral BME (400 mg/kg/d/8 weeks) significantly ameliorated these effects. Conclusion: Treatment with BME improved DM and its related late conse- quences. Furthermore, it has antioxidant and vasodilator effects. Commonly, BME is a way to surmount the diabetic state and it has vasodilator effects. It may be a promising adjuvant to anti diabetic therapy.