Abstract
It has been reported that the water extract of the whole unripe fruit of Momordica charantia can significantly reduce blood glucose levels. However the safety of its use during pregnancy has not been fully investigated. The aim of this investigation is to determine the safety of this extract during pregnancy. The water extract of the unripe fruit was given to pregnant Sprague Dawley rats on days 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of gestation. The litter size was determined for each group and the litters were examined for gross malformations. The gross and histological examinations of various organs of the litters were also carried out. Results show that 8.65% of the litters from experimental animals were malformed as against 1.62% of control. It also showed that 31.2% of all the malformed litters had multiple congenital malformations. It also showed that the experimental rats had nine resorption sites while control had none. This demonstrates that the water extract of Momordica charantia is teratogenic in Sprague Dawley rats and should be used with caution in man.
Highlights
The placenta provides a selective barrier between the fetus and the mother
Other investigators, including Chongkol et al (1987), Karuanayake et al, (1990), Cakici et al (1994), and Platel and Sirnivasan (1995), reported that the hypoglycemic property of Momordica charantia depended on what part of the fruit used and the method of extraction employed
Results showed that the mean birth weight of the experimental pups was 6.34g vs. 7.06g (p < 0.05), and that of the pups from the experimental animals (8.65%) were malformed as against 3 from the control (1.62%)
Summary
The placenta provides a selective barrier between the fetus and the mother. This barrier protects the fetus from some harmful substances crossing from the mother to the fetus. (1998), Ahmad et al, (1999), Sitasawad et al (2000), Lin et al (2001), Miura et al (2001), Vikrant et al (2001), Biyani et al, (2003) and Uche-Nwachi and Mitchell (2004), Gbolade et al (2009), Shih et al (2009), Han et al (2008), had reported that the hypoglycemic property of the aqueous extract of Momordica charantia. Other investigators, including Chongkol et al (1987), Karuanayake et al, (1990), Cakici et al (1994), and Platel and Sirnivasan (1995), reported that the hypoglycemic property of Momordica charantia depended on what part of the fruit used and the method of extraction employed. The aim of this investigation is to determine its possible teratogenic effect and its safety in pregnancy
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