Abstract

PHARMACODYNAMIC INTERACTION OF MOMORDICA CHARANTIA WITH ORAL HYPOGLYCEMIC AGENTS IN DIABETES INDUCED GASTROPATHY

Himanshu Rai*, Sushma Attuluri, Dr. Nuzhath Irfana, P. Haritha, R. Sandhya and Seema Farheen

ABSTRACT

Background and Objective: The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Momordica charantia by virtue of its hypoglycemic, antioxidant activity and hypolipidemic activity which would modulate the diabetes gastropathy induced by in high fat diet with streptozotocin induced diabetes. The study also investigates the combined effect of Momordica charantia with oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetes induced gastropathy. Methods: The methanolic extract of Momordica charantia was obtained from distillation with soxhlet apparatus. The Sprague-Dawley rats was fed high fat diet (HFD), once a day for 2 weeks followed by i.p. injection of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg) dissolved in 1M/l citrate buffer (pH 4.4) after overnight fasting. Single and multiple dose studies of fenugreek seed extract and standard oral hypoglycemics was performed to assess the anti hyperglycaemic activity. The animals were treated for 10 weeks with monotherapy of Glipizide, Quercitine, and Methanolic extract and with the combination of standard oral hypoglycemics & also with combination of polyphenolic extract and the standard drugs. Body weight was measured every week end. Water and feed intake was recorded. The blood samples was collected once in 15 days of the treatment period. Blood glucose (Glu), total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDL), and triglyceride (TG) levels was measured using standard kits. The following gastropathy models were carried out on the treated groups ie, colonic contractility, gastric emptying time, gastric fundus. Antioxidants status was estimated with the stomach homogenate at the end of the treatment. Results: The combination therapy of Momordica charantia fruit Methanolic extract with oral hypoglycemic agents (Glipizide) was more effective in glycemic control, regaining of other parameters(body weight, water intake, urine output, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL) to the normal range as in non diabetic animals. The antioxidants levels i.e. SOD and catalase was increased and TBARS was found to be decreased. The combination of standard drugs showed hypoglycemia at the 8th week. The groups treated with monotherapy of standard drugs was not found to be effective in glycemic control and hence failed in preventing the stomach damage. Interpretation and Conclusion: The polyphenolic extract of fenugreek seeds were effective in decreasing the gastropathic effect along with glycemic control. The combination of Methanolic extract of Momordica charantia fruit extract and Oral hypoglycemics agents attenuated the progression of Diabetes Gastropathy by improving diabetes induced raised levels of TBARS, and decreased level catalase and superoxide dismutase thereby increased gastric emptying time, improved intestinal motility and enhanced intestinal transit of charcoal meal in diabetic rats. It has also decreased serum triglyceride, total cholesterol levels and increased HDL levels. The strong antioxidant activity of the selected herb improved the response of colonic smooth muscle and may be evaluated as preventive therapy in diabetic induced delay in intestinal motility in patients at risk of developing diabetic autonomic neuropathy. Further studies required on long term studies.

Keywords: Diabetic Gastropathy, Colonic Contractility, Gastric Emptying Time, Gastric Fundus, Momordica Charantia Fruit Extract, GLIPIZIDE, Quercitine, Stomach.