Asian Journal of Research in Zoology

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a widespread endocrine disorder that leads to chronic hyperglycemia, posing significant health challenges globally. Effective management of blood glucose levels remains a critical goal in diabetes treatment. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of natural products in diabetes management. Momordica charantia, commonly known as bitter gourd, has been traditionally used for its purported hypoglycemic effects. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a methanolic extract of Momordica charantia in reducing blood glucose levels in an animal model of diabetes and compare its effectiveness to a standard antidiabetic medication, Glizid-M.

Materials and Methods: The study utilized alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats to assess the hypoglycemic effects of the methanolic extract of Momordica charantia. Diabetic rats were divided into groups and administered varying doses of the extract: 150 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, and 600 mg/kg. A control group received Glizid-M, and a baseline group received no treatment. Blood glucose levels were monitored at regular intervals to evaluate the efficacy of the extract in managing hyperglycemia.

Results and Discussion: The administration of the methanolic extract of Momordica charantia resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in blood glucose levels. Among the tested dosages, the 600 mg/kg dose demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in blood glucose compared to the lower doses of 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg. The 600 mg/kg dosage showed comparable efficacy to the standard antidiabetic drug, Glizid-M, indicating a strong hypoglycemic effect.

The results of this study suggest that Momordica charantia has a potent hypoglycemic effect, with its efficacy increasing with dosage. The significant reduction in blood glucose levels at the highest dosage implies that the extract may influence glucose metabolism effectively. The dose-dependent response highlights the importance of optimizing dosage for maximum therapeutic benefit. Comparison with Glizid-M further supports the potential of Momordica charantia as a viable alternative or complementary therapy in diabetes management.

Conclusion: This study provides scientific validation for the use of Momordica charantia methanolic extract as a therapeutic agent for diabetes management. The observed dose-dependent reduction in blood glucose levels suggests its potential as an effective natural remedy for controlling hyperglycemia. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and long-term efficacy of this extract in diabetes treatment.