Comparison of Momordica charantia effect on Mcl-1 gene expression in the livers of streptozotocin diabetic and healthy rats

Background and aims: The positive effects of medicinal herbs on diabetes have been proved in previous studies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of active Momordica Charantia on the treatment of liver diseases resulting from diabetes and the expression level of the Mcl-1 gene, which is a proapoptotic gene and becomes antiapoptotic in the event of damage. Methods: In this study, 42 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 groups including healthy, diabetic, metformin, 150 mg/kg M. charantia controls, and three groups that received the active M. charantia with doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg. All groups became diabetic with streptozotocin injected intraperitoneally except for the control and M. charantia. Afterward, they received the active M. charantia by gavage for four weeks (three times a week). Finally, the Kruskal-Wallis method was used for comparison among the groups. The statistical tests were analyzed using SPSS software, version 22. Results: The level of Mcl-1 expression in the diabetic control group (C) was significantly higher than that in the healthy control (A) and the M. charantia-receiving control group (B, P<0.05). The group receiving 150 mg/kg dose of M. charantia drug (G) had a better effect compared to the group that received 100 mg/kg (F), and this difference was significant (P<0.05). This increase indicated that the medication was dose-dependent. Conclusion: In general, a reduction in the level of Mcl-1 gene expression relied on the M. charantia dose. After the development of diabetes, this level significantly increased in the diabetic groups, but decreased after receiving M. charantia, leading to a decrease in the side effects and symptoms associated with diabetes.