HYPOGLYCAEMIC ACTION OF MOMORDICA CHARANTIA IN NORMAL AND DIABETIC MICE

the hypoglycemic effect of the ethanolic extract of Momordica charantia (cucurbitaceae) was investigated in both normal and streptozotocin – induced diabetic mice. The ethanolic extract of Unriped fruits of M. charantia (800mg/kg) reduced the blood glucose of normal mice from 172 ±3 to 136 ± 5 mg/100ml 4 hours after intrapertitoneal administration (P<0.001), and also significantly lowered the blood glucose of streptoxotocin induced diabetic mice from 686± 60 to 407± 35 mg/100ml under similar conditions (p<0.01). The possible mechanism of hypoglycemic action of M.Charantia is due to the increased glucose uptake in liver cells because it markedly lowers the blood glucose levels in streptozotocin induced diabetic mice.