Anti-diabetic activity and phytochemical composition of ethanol leaf extract of Momordica charantia (Linn.) on alloxan- induced diabetic rats

Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which there is high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period, that is affecting major population of developing countries causing death. The ethanol leaf extract of Momordica charantia was evaluated for anti-diabetic activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats after single dose (acute study) and prolonged treatment (chronic study). Phytochemical and proximate analysis were carried out on the plant leaves. Diabetes was induced in the rats using alloxan monohydrate 150 mg/kg.
The diabetic rats were treated with various doses of the leaf extract. The blood glucose level (BGL) was measured by using a glucometer. Diabetic rats treated with 69.28, 138.56, and 207.85 mg/kg of the plant leaf extract caused a significant (P<0.05-0.01) reduction in fasting blood glucose level (BGL) in the animals both in acute and prolonged treatment study, in a manner comparable to that of the reference standard drug, glibenclamide (10 mg/kg body weight per day). The studies suggest that ethanol leaf extract of Momordica charantia posses anti-diabetic properties which can be exploited in the management of diabetes.