Effect of Aqueous and Methanolic Extracts of Momordica charantia Fruit on Blood Glucose and Liver Enzymes in Diabetic Rats

Aims: Karela (Momordica charantia), is extensively used in traditional medicine as an antidiabetic drug. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of aqueous and methanolic extrarct of Momordica charantia on blood glucose and liver enzymes of rats. Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, 36 adult male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups (6 rats in each group); control (healthy rats), negative control (diabetic rats by Streptozotocine) and 4 experimental groups (diabetic rats which recived aqueous and methanolic extracts of plant in concentrations of 50 and 100mg/kg of body weight daily for 40 days). The amount of the blood glucose was determined by sequential incision of the tip of the tail once a weak. After completing 40 days, blood was collected from heart of rats and the level of the liver enzymes serum was determined. The results were analysed by ANOVA with repeated measure and one way ANOVA tests in SPSS 19 software. Findings: The effect of different concentrations of aqueous and methanolic extracts on the blood glucose level was significant (p<0.001). Also a significant difference was observed between the amount of the aspartate aminotransfrase (p=0.049) and alanin aminotransfrase (p=0.005) enzymes activity at the two groups of negative control and 50mg/kg of body weight of methanolic extract. Using of 50 and 100mg/kg of body weight of aqueous and methanolic extracts reduced the alkalin phosphatase enzyme activity (p=0.002). Conclusion: Aqueous extract of Momordica charantia fruit have better effect on reducing the blood glucose than methanolic extracts. Both aqueous and methanolic extracts reduce the activity of aspartate aminotransfrase, alanin aminotransfrase and alkalin phosphatase.