Abstract

Background: Momordica charantia, Gymnema sylvestre, and Piper betle are developing as optional therapy in type 2 diabetes. Animal studies are helping to reveal its anti-diabetic properties. However, clinical studies in human subjects are few.

Aims and Objectives: To know the effect of M. charantia on fasting glycemic control in rabbits.

Materials and Methods: Blood samples from overnight fasting diabetic rabbits were collected. The drug and vehicle at the indicated dosages were then administered orally to the respective groups using a pediatric nasogastric tube followed by 2 mL of distilled water through the same tube. Subsequent blood samples were taken 2, 4, and 8 h after drug administration, and plasma glucose was estimated for each sample.

Results: The standard drug, glyburide, significantly reduces hyperglycemia over a period of 2, 4, and 8 h, with maximum effect achieved after 4 h. Therefore, the choice of a diabetic rabbit animal model is authentic and appropriate.

Conclusion: These three herbal extracts were more or less equivalent in reducing fasting blood glucose compared to glyburide in a rabbit model.

Key words: Animal Model; Diabetes Mellitus; Gymnema sylvestre; Momordica charantia