Antidiabetic effect of Momordica charantia saponins in rats induced by high-fat diet combined with STZ

Abstract Background The harm of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications has become a major global public health problem. In this study, the effects of Momordica charantia saponins (MCS) on lipid metabolism, oxidative stress and insulin signaling pathway in type 2 diabetic rats were investigated. Results MCS could attenuate the tendency of weight loss of the model rats. MCS could also improve the glucose tolerance, reduce fasting blood glucose, non-esterified fatty acid, triglyceride and total cholesterol, and increase the insulin content and insulin sensitivity index of the rats. The activity of superoxide diamutase and catalase increased, and the content of malondiadehyde decreased in the liver and pancreas tissues of rats in MCS-treated groups significantly. In addition, the expression of p-IRS-1 (Y612) and p-Akt (S473) increased, and the expression of p-IRS-1 (S307) decreased in the liver tissues and pancreas tissues of rats in MCS-treated groups significantly. Conclusion MCS has an anti-diabetic effect, which may be related to its improving the lipid metabolism disorder, reducing oxidative stress level and regulating insulin signaling pathway.