Role of bittergourd fruit juice in stz-induced diabetic state in vivo and in vitro

The aqueous juice of bittergourd fruit (BF) (Momordica charantia L.) of the family Cucurbitaceae has been shown to possess hypoglycemic activity. Howe ver, the mechanism of its action is not known. Hence in vitro and in vivo e xperiments were carried out to study the role of BF juice on the diabetic s tatus. The activity of BF juice was tested on STZ treated RIN cells and iso lated islets in vitro. It was found that feeding with BF juice caused reduc tion in STZ-induced hyperglycemia in mice. It markedly reduced the STZ-indu ced lipid peroxidation in pancreas of mice, RIN cells and islets. Further i t also reduced the STZ-induced apoptosis in RIN cells indicating the mode o f protection of BF juice on RIN cells, islets and pancreatic p-cells. Prese nt study thus confirms hypoglycemic effect of BF juice and provides suffici ent documentation to define its role and action for its potential and promi sing use in treating diabetes. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Irela nd Ltd.