Effect of Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia) on Glycaemic Status in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

• Published in: Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht) Vol. 60; no. 3; pp. 109 - 112
• Main Authors: Shetty, A.K, Kumar, G.S, Sambaiah, K, Salimath, P.V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.09.2005
• Subjects: Analysis of Variance; animal models; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; blood glucose; Blood Glucose - drug effects; diabetes mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - drug therapy; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - metabolism; Drinking - drug effects; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Food industries; Fruit and vegetable industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; glomerular filtration rate; Glomerular Filtration Rate - drug effects; glycemic effect; Glycosuria; Male; medicinal properties; Momordica charantia; Momordica charantia - chemistry; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Weight Gain - drug effects; Water; Urine; Biological fluid; Vegetables; Conditioner; Rat; Fasting blood glucose. Glomerular filtration rate; Diabetes mellitus; Body weight; Use; Rodentia; Malt substitute; Bitter gourd; Management; Urine sugar; Weight gain; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Diet; Carbohydrate; Diabetes; Sugar
• ISSN: 0921-9668; 1573-9104
• DOI: 10.1007/s11130-005-6837-x

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), a commonly consumed vegetable is used as an adjunct in the management of diabetes mellitus. A study was carried out to examine the effect of edible portion of bitter gourd at 10% level in the diet in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. To evaluate the glycaemic control of bitter gourd during diabetes, diet intake, gain in body weight, water intake, urine sugar, urine volume, glomerular filtration rate and fasting blood glucose profiles were monitored. Water consumption, urine volume and urine sugar were significantly higher in diabetic controls compared to normal rats and bitter gourd feeding alleviated this rise during diabetes by about 30%. Renal hypertrophy was higher in diabetic controls and bitter gourd supplementation, partially, but effectively prevented it (38%) during diabetes. Increased glomerular filtration rate in diabetes was significantly reduced (27%) by bitter gourd. An amelioration of about 30% in fasting blood glucose was observed with bitter gourd feeding in diabetic rats. These results clearly provided experimental evidence that dried bitter gourd powder in the diet at 10% level improved diabetic status signifying its beneficial effect during diabetes.