Effect of acute administration of Momordica charantia fruit extracts on blood glucose levels of normoglycemic rats

Traditional medicinal systems purport that the fruit and leaves of Momordica charantia (MC), also known as cerasse or bitter melon, has antidiabetic properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of fruit extracts of a local MC variety on fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in normoglycemic rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into groups (n= 6 each), orally receiving aqueous (100 and 400 mg/kg) and methanol extract (400 mg/kg), glibenclamide (15 mg/kg) and control group receiving distilled water for FBG assessment. The OGTT was conducted in 4 groups of rats receiving 3 doses of aqueous extracts and distilled water. A single dose of extract or drug was administered prior to measurement of blood glucose levels. While acute administration of the aqueous and methanolic extracts showed no significant hypoglycemic activity, the lower dose (100 mg/kg) of the aqueous extract produced the greatest reduction in blood glucose levels. Glibenclamide produced...