Effects of Momordica charantia on Serum Lipid Profile, Serum Protein Levels and Selected Markers of Cardiovascular Damage in Diabetic Rats

Aims: To investigate the effects of M. charantia on serum lipid profile, serum protein concentration and selected markers of cardiovascular damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats.
Study design: Forty healthy adult Wistar rats of both sexes were randomly assigned into five groups A, B, C, D and E of eight rats each.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, between January 2010 and March 2012.
Methodology: At the expiration of the research, the animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Serum lipid profile, total protein and serum albumin, serum Creatine Kinase, Lactate Dehydrogenase and Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase activities were determined using Randox assay kits. The levels of Serum globulin and albumin/globulin ratio were calculated. Serum nitric Oxide and Prostaglandin E2 levels were determined using assay kits.
Results: The result showed a significant reduction (p<0.05) in the blood glucose levels in group D when compared with groups A, B, C and E. There was an increase in triglyceride (p<0.05), total cholesterol (p>0.05), low density lipoprotein (p>0.05) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (p<0.05) were increased in group B when compared with group D. The serum levels was presented a non significant reduction in total protein (p>0.05), albumin (p>0.05), globulin (p>0.05) and albumin/globulin ratio (p>0.05) when group B was compared with group D. Lactate dehydrogenase (F=0.18, p>0.05) and creatinine kinase (F=1.96, p>0.05) were increased (p>0.05) while the nitric oxide (F=2.21, p<0.05), PGE2 (F=1.25, p<0.05) and G6PDH (F=2.92, p<0.05) were reduced (p<0.05) in group B when compared with A, C, D and E.
Conclusion: The presents study thus suggests that M. charantia could serve as a useful antidiabetic agent.