Hypoglycemic effect of saponin extracts from leaves of Momordica charantia

In order to investigate hypoglycemic effects of Momordica charantia(MC) leaves saponins, saponins with purity of 86.0% were extracted from leaves of MC. The extracts were used to treat hyperglycemic rats and the damaged insulinoma cell RIN-M5F in vitro. The effects of MC leaves extracts on the metabolic parameters (serum glucose, insulin, glycogen, Superoxide Dismutase(SOD) activity and Malonedialdehyde (MDA) levels of hyperglycemic rats and the effects on RIN-M5F cells were observed. The results showed that there was a significant increase in serum insulin and glycogen, accompanied by a decrease in serum glucose and MDA in treated rats with MC leaves saponins. And the extracts also exhibited obvious protection and repairation effects on RIN-M5F cells.