Subchronic toxicity of ethanol extract of bitter melon pulp (momordica charantia L.) on liver function and histopathological changes in wistar rats

Abstract

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) is a plant that used as herbal medicine. It contains bioactive components which have hypoglycemic activity, immunomodulators, cancer chemoprevention, antiviral, antimicrobial, and inhibits oxidative stress and inflammation. The purpose of this study was to assess the degree of liver damage by macroscopic and microscopic examination. The sample consisted of 40 rats divided into 4 groups, Group 1, control group, was only given aquadest and pellets. Group 2-4 were treated with ethanol extract of bitter melon pulp 250 mg/kgbw, 500 mg/kgbw, and 1000 mg/kgbw during 28 days. On the 29th day, the termination was carried out, aspartate and alanin aminotransferase (AST/ALT) being measured, the liver being observed for the macroscopic and microscopic morphology. Kruskal-Wallis test showed there was no significant difference in relative organ weight (p = 0.177), liver macroscopy morphology (p = 0.207). Microscopic observation for liver fibrosis using Metavir scoring system showed highest mean liver fibrosis score in dose 1000 mg/kgbw. Kruskal-Wallis test for microscopic changes showed significantly difference in male rats (p = 0.001) and female rats (p = 0.002). Based on these study, we conclude that ethanol extract of bitter melon pulp at a dose of 250 mg/kgbw, 500 mg/kgbw, and 1000 mg/kgbw affect liver function significantly. But there's no subchronic toxicity effect on relative organ weight and macroscopic changes in liver morphology. Otherwise there was subchronic toxicity effect on changes in the microscopic structure of the liver characterized by the formation of fibrosis in the liver portal triad of experimental animals.