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

Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine the antidiabetic effect of Momordica charantia (MC) on pancreatic islets of Langerhans in streptozotocin (STZ)-in-duced diabetic male Wistar rats in relation to the distribution of insulin immuno-positive beta cells. MC was fed to rats at 2, 5, and 10% of the standard diet for 12 wk. After sacrifi-cation, the pancreatic tissues were obtained for histopathological and immunohistochemi-cal observations. In addition, monitoring of fasting blood glucose was applied each month during experimental period. The results revealed that the oral doses of MC at 5% and 10% of the daily diet increased the percentage of insulin-positive pancreatic beta cells as well as the size and number of pancreatic islets. Moreover, significant (p≤0.0001) dose and time-depended reduction in fasting blood glucose levels were observed. In conclusion, these results suggest that MC induces antidiabetic effects via regeneration of insulin-positive pancreatic beta cells and increase the number of insulin secretory granules hence, blood glucose reduction.