Abstract

ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC ACTIVITY OF MOMORDICA CHARANTIA AND BRASSICA OLERACEA

Mahbuba Akter, Md. Masfikur Rahman and Mohammed Rahmatullah*

ABSTRACT

Background. Momordica charantia is grown in Bangladesh for its edible fruits and Brassica oleracea for its edible leaves. Based on previous studies with individual plant parts, it was of interest to determine the antihyperglycemic properties of a formulation containing the fruits and leaves of the two plants in combination. Methods. Antihyperglycemic activity was determined through oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) in mice. Results. Administration of methanol extract of the formulation, that is, powdered dried fruits of Momordica charantia and dried leaves of Brassica oleracea (1:1 ratio, w/w) led to dose-dependent reductions in blood glucose levels in glucose-loaded mice. At doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg extract per kg body weight, the extract, significantly and dose-dependently, reduced blood glucose levels by 38.4, 42.2, 45.2, and 48.3%, respectively compared to control animals. At dose level of 400 mg per kg, extract of Momordica charantia alone reduced blood glucose level by 41.2%, while at the same dose, the extract of Brassica oleracea alone reduced blood glucose level by 41.5%. By comparison, a standard antihyperglycemic drug, glibenclamide, when administered at a dose of 10 mg per kg body weight, reduced blood glucose level by 49.0%. Conclusion. The combination of the extracts of plant parts of the two plants was effective in reducing blood glucose levels in glucose-loaded mice, which was equivalent to that of glibenclamide.

Keywords: Antihyperglycemic, Momordica charantia, Brassica oleracea, OGTT