Interaction of Momordica Charantia with metformin in diabetic rats

Abstract

Now a day's people use herb or herbal remedies along with their medication in long term treatment of various disease. Concomitant use of herb and drug can interact with each other may cause herb drug interaction. The present study was designed to investigate the possible herb drug interaction between Momordica Chrantia Fruit Juice (MCFJ) and metformin. Metformin was given orally in two different doses of 50 mg kg-1 and 100 mg kg-1. Momordica chrantia fruit juice was administered at a dose of 20 mL kg-1. The Blood glucose was estimated at 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Body weight of the rats of all the groups was recorded before and after the study period of 28 days. All the treatment shows significant (p<0.01) hypoglycemic effect. The hypoglycemic effect observed with combination of metformin and MCFJ was more than either drug alone. MCFJ alone or also in combination with metformin improve the body weight of diabetic rats. It is concluded that MCFJ along with metformin produce synergistic effect which may be beneficial or harmful so patients should take care when taking MCFJ along with metformin. © 2013 Science Publication.