Authors: XIA, TAO; WANG, QIN

Source: Journal of Food Biochemistry, Volume 31, Number 4, August 2007 , pp. 551-562(12)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

Momordica charantia, commonly known as bitter gourd, has been shown to possess hypoglycemic activity. However, the mechanism of its action is not known. Chemically synthesizedd-chiro-inositol (d-CI), the component of insulin mediators, has been demonstrated to have antihyperglycemic effects in rats. In this study, we found that M. charantia fruit contains relatively high levels ofd-CI; thus, it may be a source ofd-CI for reducing blood glucose concentrations in diabetics. In fed streptozotocin (STZ) rats, a dose of M. charantia fruit extract containing 20 mg ofd-CI/kg of body weight markedly reduced blood glucose and plasma insulin after oral administration. A significant effect on oral glucose tolerance was also noted in fasted STZ rats. Findings from this study demonstrate that M. charantia fruit extract is an effective source ofd-CI for lowering blood glucose concentrations in rats, and therefore may be useful in the treatment of diabetes. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Momordica charantia fruit is commonly used as a traditional remedy for diabetes in Asia, Africa and South America. Consumption of M. charantia fruit as a therapeutic diet has been demonstrated to have hypoglycemic effects in patients with diabetes. Our study determined that M. charantia fruit contains sufficient amounts ofd-chiro-inositol (d-CI) as a natural source ofd-CI for reducing blood glucose concentrations in diabetes. Findings from this study suggest that M. charantia fruit extract is an effective source ofd-CI for lowering blood glucose concentrations in diabetic animals. Therefore, M. charantia fruit can provide a concentrated nature source ofd-CI in the food supply and may therefore be useful in the treatment of diabetes.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-4514.2007.00129.x

Affiliations: 1: College of Life Science and BiotechnologyShanghai Jiaotong UniversityShanghai, China

Publication date: 2007-08-01

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