Clinicopathological Study on the Effects of <i>Momordica charantia</i> on Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

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.

Toxico-Pathological Studies of <i>Foeniculum vulgare</i> Plant in Mice

“…As the liver is the organ that protects the individual against toxic injury, it seems that the dose of F. vulgare given to mice in this study exceeded the capacity of the liver to repair the damage. Many authors reported that toxic plants have induced similar liver damage in different animal species [25] [26] [27] [28]. The results of the present study have also revealed that F. vulgare induced toxic damage in kidney tissues.…”

Effect of <i>Momordica charantia</i> on Insulin Immune-Reactive Pancreatic Beta Cells and Blood Glucose Levels in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

“…The fruits were sliced, oven-dried (60˚C for 24 h), powdered then added to the powdered feed at 2, 5, and 10%. The mixture was then made as pellets (9).…”

“…After 72 h of STZ injection, fasting blood was collected from the tail vein for measurement the fasting blood glucose level. Rats were exhibited fasting blood glucose levels within 500 mg/dL, were considered as diabetic, and were set subsequently in the experiment (9). Experimental design.…”

“…Momordica charantia (MC) known as bitter melon, one of those medicinal plants, has been used as traditional medicine for control hyperglycemia. Several studies have established the antidiabetic effect of MC in streptozotocin (STZ) and alloxan-induced type 2 diabetes in different animal models (9,10) as well as clinical trials in patients (7,11) . Previously, our lab reported that oral feeding of MC resulted in improvement in pancreatic, hepatic, and renal functions by alleviation of STZ induced diabetic lesions (9).…”

“…Several studies have established the antidiabetic effect of MC in streptozotocin (STZ) and alloxan-induced type 2 diabetes in different animal models (9,10) as well as clinical trials in patients (7,11) . Previously, our lab reported that oral feeding of MC resulted in improvement in pancreatic, hepatic, and renal functions by alleviation of STZ induced diabetic lesions (9). In addition, MC has been proved to have potential effect as an antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-obesity and antiulcer (12)(13)(14)(15).…”