The present study was conducted to determine the antidiabetic effect of Momordica charantia (MC) on pancreatic islets of Langerhans in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic male Wistar rats in relation to the distribution of insulin immuno-positive beta cells. MC was fed to rats at 2, 5, and 10% of the standard diet for 12 wk. After sacrification, the pancreatic tissues were obtained for histopathological and immunohistochemical observations. In addition, monitoring of fasting blood glucose was applied each month during experimental period. The results revealed that the oral doses of MC at 5% and 10% of the daily diet increased the percentage of insulin-positive pancreatic beta cells as well as the size and number of pancreatic islets. Moreover, significant (p≤0.0001) dose and time-depended reduction in fasting blood glucose levels were observed. In conclusion, these results suggest that MC induces antidiabetic effects via regeneration of insulin-positive pancreatic beta cells and increase the number of insulin secretory granules hence, blood glucose reduction.
Keywords: Momordica charantia; antidiabetic; glucose; insulin; pancreatic beta cells.