D‐ CHIRO ‐INOSITOL FOUND IN MOMORDICA CHARANTIA FRUIT EXTRACT PLAYS A ROLE IN REDUCING BLOOD GLUCOSE IN STREPTOZOTOCIN‐DIABETIC RATS

Momordica charantia, commonly known as bitter gourd, has been shown to possess hypoglycemic activity. However, the mechanism of its action is not known. Chemically synthesized d ‐ chiro ‐inositol ( d ‐CI), the component of insulin mediators, has been demonstrated to have antihyperglycemic effects in rats. In this study, we found that M. charantia fruit contains relatively high levels of d ‐CI; thus, it may be a source of d ‐CI for reducing blood glucose concentrations in diabetics. In fed streptozotocin (STZ) rats, a dose of M. charantia fruit extract containing 20 mg of d ‐CI/kg of body weight markedly reduced blood glucose and plasma insulin after oral administration. A significant effect on oral glucose tolerance was also noted in fasted STZ rats. Findings from this study demonstrate that M. charantia fruit extract is an effective source of d ‐CI for lowering blood glucose concentrations in rats, and therefore may be useful in the treatment of diabetes.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Momordica charantia fruit is commonly used as a traditional remedy for diabetes in Asia, Africa and South America. Consumption of M. charantia fruit as a therapeutic diet has been demonstrated to have hypoglycemic effects in patients with diabetes. Our study determined that M. charantia fruit contains sufficient amounts of d ‐chiro‐ inositol ( d ‐CI) as a natural source of d ‐CI for reducing blood glucose concentrations in diabetes. Findings from this study suggest that M. charantia fruit extract is an effective source of d ‐CI for lowering blood glucose concentrations in diabetic animals. Therefore, M. charantia fruit can provide a concentrated nature source of d ‐CI in the food supply and may therefore be useful in the treatment of diabetes.