Objectives

The objective of this study was to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of protein extracts from Momordica charantia (Thai bitter gourd) in alloxan-induced diabetic dogs.

Materials & Methods

Ten dogs were randomly assigned into 2 groups with 5 dogs each; normal and diabetic groups. The diabetic dogs were induced using alloxan 60-80 mg/kg IV. Both normal and diabetic groups were subcutaneously injected with 10, 30 and 50 units/kg of protein extract from Momordica charantia (1.8 mg of the extract = 40 units). Blood samples were collected at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 hours after injection for measuring plasma glucose and insulin level.

Results

The Momordica charantia extract at 10 and 30 units/kg did not significantly decrease blood glucose level in both normal and diabetic groups. However, the 50 units/kg of protein extract significantly decreased blood glucose level at 4 and 8 hours after injection in diabetic dogs, but not in normal dogs. In contrast, all concentrations used of this extract did not significantly alter plasma insulin level in both groups.

Conclusion

We concluded that the protein extract from Siamese Momordica charantia (50 units/kg) exerted a hypoglycemic effect on alloxan-induced diabetic dogs via mechanism that may not involve in insulin secretion.