HYPOGLYCEMIC EFFECT OF MOMORDICA-CHARANTIA EXTRACTS IN NORMOGLYCEMIC OR CYPROHEPTADINE-INDUCED HYPERGLYCEMIC MICE

The hypoglycaemic effect of orally administered extracts of Momordica charantia L. fruits was examined in normoglycaemic or cyproheptadine-i nduced hyperglycaemic mice. The aqueous extract reduced the fasting gl ucose levels of hyperglycaemic or normoglycaemic mice. However, the et hanol extract did not affect the fasting or nonfasting glucose levels significantly in both groups of mice. There was no significant differe nce between the glucose-loaded and glucose-loaded plus aqueous extract given group. On the other hand, oral glucose-loading of the cyprohept adine-induced hyperglycaemic animals reduced the fasting glucose level s significantly. These results showed that aqueous extract of M. chara ntia fruits has a hypoglycaemic activity without improving the toleran ce to glucose in cyproheptadine-induced diabetic mice.