Antidiabetic and in vitro antioxidant potential of Mormodica charantia L. fruit in Experimentally Induced Wistar Rat Model of Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND: The liver is a vital organ responsible for regulating the normal glucose homeostasis in the body system, and hepatic glucose metabolic dysregulation is one of the most critical elements in the pathogenesis of DM. METHOD: Twenty-five healthy rats aged seven weeks were divided into the following main groups; non-diabetic, diabetic untreated, diabetic treated with 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of MC fruit, and diabetic treated with Metformin (500 mg/kg). Different models of in vitro antioxidant assays of MC fruit were also determined. RESULTS: The results showed that MC fruit has high antioxidant potential against DPPH, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radicals, good reducing ferric power, significant Inhibition of lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant activities. The FBG levels decreased significantly in MC fruit treatment groups compared to diabetes control (DC) rats. The histology of the hepatic tissue of the diabetic untreated rats revealed a marked depletion in glycogen granules and hepatic DNA. These negative features were ameliorated in the MC fruit treated rats, as consistent glycogen granule storage and improved hepatic DNA presence were observed in the MC fruit treated rats. CONCLUSION: MC fruit reduces blood glucose levels in a diabetic rat model, and it also preserves the hepatic DNA and glycogen granules. MC fruit has a significant in vitro antioxidant activity.