Momordica charantia is used in folk medicine to manage diabetes mellitus. In this study, we investigated the possible herb-drug interaction between M. charantia fruit extract (MCFE) and glibenclamide (GLB) in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Rats were divided into 7 groups. The 1st group received 3% Tween 80. The 2nd-5th groups were diabetic rats received vehicle, GLB (5 mg/kg), MCFE (250 and 500 mg/kg), respectively. The 6th-7th groups administered GLB plus MCFE (250 and 500 mg/kg), respectively. After 8 weeks, fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were assessed. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations of the pancreases were done. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to analyze hepatic mRNA expression of insulin receptor (INR), glucose transporter 2 (Slc2a2) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPAR-α) genes. All medicaments greatly reduced FBG in diabetic rats when compared with diabetic control group. GLB plus MCFE combination was better than GLB alone in improving levels of insulin and HbA1c. All medicaments restored insulin content of pancreatic β-cells and reduced glucagon and somatostatin of alpha and delta endocrine cells. Moreover, GLB plus MCFE-500 was the most efficient in restoring INR, Slc2a2 and PPAR-α mRNA expression to their normal levels. In conclusion, MCFE in combination with GLB gives greater glycemic improvement than GLB monotherapy.
Keywords: Glibenclamide; INR; Momordica charantia; PPAR-α; Slc2a2; Streptozotocin.