# Rejuvenating of Kidney Tissues on Alloxan Induced Diabetic Mice under the Effect ofMomordica charantia

Authors: Bhaskar Sharma; Mohd. Sufiyan Siddiqui; Gurudayal Ram; Ranjeet Kumar Yadav; Arti Kumari; Gaurav Sharma; Nakuleshwar Dut Jasuja
Journal: Advances in Pharmaceutics
 (2014)

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## Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder in human and responsible for different complications and also causes mortality and morbidity. A wide number of herbal products are employed in the treatment of diabetes for their better efficacy and safety compared to synthetic medicine. The present studies have established the antidiabetic potential and rejuvenating capacity of  kidney tissues under the effect of extract. Diabetes was induced in the Swiss albino mice by injecting alloxan at the dose of 150 mg/kg body weight and aqueous extract ofMomordica charantia fruits at doses of 100 mg/kg body weight and 250 mg/kg body weight was administered orally for three weeks. After 21 days of treatment of the aqueous extracts of  Momordica charantia significantly reduces serum glucose level, kidney function tests, lipid peroxidation as well as histopathological study also did show adverse alternation in the morphological architecture of the kidney tissue. Thus, from this study we concluded that Momordica charantia exhibited significant antihyperglycemic and rejuvenating capacity of kidney tissues activities in alloxan induced diabetic mice.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is possibly the world’s fastest growing metabolic disorder and as the knowledge of the heterogeneity of this disorder increases so does the need for more appropriate therapies [1]. DM is a pathologic condition, resulting in severe metabolic imbalances and nonphysiologic changes in many tissues, where oxidative stress plays an important role in the aetiology [1, 2]. Diabetes is associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which cause oxidative damage, particularly to heart, kidney, eyes, nerves, liver, small and large blood vessels, and immunological and gastrointestinal system [1, 3].Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the important microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus. Recent studies indicate that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a key intermediate role in the pathophysiology of diabetic nephropathy [4]. Hyperglycaemia, the main determinant of the initiation and progression of diabetic nephropathy, not only generates more reactive oxygen metabolites but also attenuates antioxidative mechanisms through nonenzymatic glycosylation of antioxidant enzymes [1]. The mechanism by which hyperglycaemia causes free radical generation and thus causes oxidative stress is complex. High glucose concentration directly increases hydrogen peroxide production by murine mesangial cells and lipid peroxidation of glomeruli and glomerular mesangial cells [5]. Hyperglycaemia promotes glycosylation of circulating and cellular protein and may initiate a series of autooxidative reactions that culminate in the formation and accumulation of advanced glycosylation end-products (AGE) in tissue proteins [6, 7]. The AGE has oxidizing potential and can promote tissue damage by free radicals. In addition, increased lipid peroxidation impairs membrane functions by decreasing membrane fluidity and changing the activity of membrane-bound enzymes and receptors. Its products (lipid radicals and lipid peroxides) are harmful to the cells in the body and associated with atherosclerosis and damage to brain, kidney, liver, and other tissues [1, 8]. In addition, diabetes and hyperglycemia can be sources of DNA damage via the oxidation of DNA bases and sugar phosphate binding sites [9]. The occurrence of these alterations can result in mutagenic effects and DNA replication arrest and could be associated with risks for developing cancer in diabetes mellitus patients [10, 11].Medicinal plants have long been used for the treatment of DM. The disease was continued to manage entirely with such indigenous plants until the development of insulin injection therapy in 1921 [12]. Several such plants have been identified as hypoglycemic either individually or in combination [13, 14].Momordica charantia, also known as bitter melon, bitter gourd, or balsam pear, is a plant widely cultivated in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world and is frequently used in South Asia and the Orient as a food stuff and medicinal plant. Extracts from various components of this plant have been reported to possess hypoglycaemic activity [15]. Thus, bitter melon can be an alternative therapy used for lowering glucose level in diabetic patients [16]. The hypoglycemic activity ofMomordica charantiafruit juice is demonstrated in animals with experimental diabetes and also in humans in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus [17]. Scientists have identified 3 groups of constituents thought to be responsible for blood sugar lowering action of bitter melon; one of these is a compound called charantin which is composed of β-sitosterol-glucoside and 2-5-stigmatadien-3-β-ol-glucoside and can potentially replace treatment by insulin [18]. Another compound, polypeptide-p (plant insulin), found in seeds and fruits of bitter melon is similar to insulin in composition, so it can be of a great benefit in therapy of type 1 diabetes [19]. Third compound is alkaloids which have also been noted to have a blood sugar lowering effect. Compounds known as oleanolic acid glycosides have been found to improve glucose tolerance in type 2 diabetes [20].


## 2. Materials and Methods

### 2.1. Collection of Plant Material

The fruits ofM. charantia were collected from local market, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. The plant species was authenticated by Botanist, Department of Botany, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. The fruits were shade dried with occasional shifting, then powdered with mechanical grinder passing through sieve, and stored in air-tight container.


### 2.2. Preparation of Extracts

After shade drying the dried fruits were powdered in mechanical grinder. The powdered fruit was macerated with distilled water for 72 hrs at room temperature with occasional stirring. It was then filtered through filter paper, and the filtrate was dried and stored in refrigerator for further use. During experiment the crude extract was diluted with distilled water just before administration to animals.


### 2.3. Chemicals

All chemicals were obtained from the following sources: alloxan was purchased from the Loba Chemie, Mumbai. Commercially available kits for biochemical analyses such as glucose, urea, and creatinine were done using commercial diagnostic kits following manufacturer’s instructions. All reagents used in study were of analytical grade.


### 2.4. Maintenance of Animals and Approval of Protocol

Healthy Swiss albino mice (Mus musculus) (4–6 months old, weighing 28–32 g) were used for the present investigation. They were housed in a clean polypropylene cage and maintained in an air-conditioned experimental room at 12-hour light: dark cycles. The animals were acclimatized to laboratory condition for one week prior to experiment. Standard pellets were used as a basal diet during the experimental period. The control and experimental animals were provided with purified drinking waterad libitum. The animals were maintained in accordance with the “CPCSEA guidelines for laboratory animal facility” (Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision on Experiments on Animals) and the approval number is CPCSEA Registration. number 1129/bc/07/CPCSEA, dated 13/02/2008. Before starting the experiment the animals were carefully marked on different parts of their body, which was later used as identification mark for a particular animal, so that the response of a particular mouse prior to and after the administration could be noted separately.


### 2.5. Acute Oral Toxicity Studies

Momordica charantia at the dose range of 100–2500 mg/kg body weight were administered by oral gavage method on different group of mice comprised of 6 mice in each group. Animals were kept under close observation for 4 hours after administering the fraction for behavior, neurological, and autonomic profile and then observed for any change in the general behavior and/or physical activities; mortality was recorded within 72 hours. Acute toxicity was determined according to the method of Lorke [21].


### 2.6. Induction of Diabetes in Experimental Animals

Diabetes mellitus was induced in overnight fasted mice by a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrates at the rate of 150 mg/kg body weight [22]. The animals were allowed free access to 5% glucose solution to overcome the drug induced hypoglycaemia. Blood glucose level of these mice was estimated 72 hr after alloxan administration, and diabetes was confirmed by blood samples collected from the tip of the tail using a blood glucometer (Accu Sure, Taiwan). Animals with blood glucose level equal to or more than 200 mg/dL were declared diabetic and were used in entire experimental group [23].


### 2.7. Animal Grouping and Treatment Schedule

Four groups of mice, six mice in each, received the following treatment schedule:Group I: normal control (A);Group II: diabetic control (B) (alloxan 150 mg/kg body weighti.p.);Group III: diabetic control (B) (alloxan 150 mg/kg body weighti.p.) + C (Momordica charantia) (fruit extract at the dose of 100 mg/kg body weight);Group IV: diabetic control (B) (alloxan 150 mg/kg body weighti.p.) + D (Momordica charantia) (fruit extract at the dose of 250 mg/kg body weight).


### 2.8. Collection of Blood Sample and Estimation of Serum Biochemical Investigations

After the last dose, animals were fasted for 12 hours and sacrificed. Blood samples were collected by orbital sinus puncture method [24]. Serum was prepared following procedure. Briefly, blood samples were withdrawn from orbital sinus using nonheparinised capillary tubes, collected in dried centrifuge tubes, and allowed to clot. Serum was separated from the clot by centrifuging at 3000 rpm for 15 min at room temperature. Serum was collected carefully and kept at −20°C until analysis of fasting blood glucose concentration was determined by commercially available glucose kit (crest coral clinical system, Goa, India) based on Trinder [25]. Kidney function tests including determination of urea [26], uric acid [27], albumin [28], protein [29], and creatinine [30] in serum were done using diagnostic kits (crest coral clinical system, Goa, India). Lipid peroxidation was estimated by Ohkawa et al. [31]


### 2.9. Body Weight and Kidney Weight

The body weight of mice of each group was measured just before and 21 days after MC (Momordica charantia). Kidney weights were measured after posttreatment sacrifice.


### 2.10. Histopathological Studies

At the end of the experimental period, the whole kidney tissues from each animal were removed after sacrificing the animal by cervical dislocation and a portion of the kidney was cut into two to three pieces of approximately 6 mm3 sizes and fixed for 48 h in 10% formalin saline were dehydrated by passing successfully in different mixture of ethyl alcohol-water, cleaned in xylene and embedded in paraffin wax. Thin sections of 5 μm thickness of kidney tissue were cut and then stained with haematoxylin and eosin dye (H&E), which mounted in neutral deparaffinized xylene (DPX) medium for microscopic observation. The thin sections of kidney were made into permanent slides and examined [32] under high resolution microscope with photographic facility and photomicrographs were taken.


### 2.11. Statistical Analysis

Data from the experiments were presented as mean ± standard deviation. Statistical analysis was done by using the GraphPad Prism Program (GraphPad Software, Inc., San Diego, USA). Pairedt-test was done to see any difference between the paired groups. The level of significance was set at P<0.001.


## 2.1. Collection of Plant Material

The fruits ofM. charantia were collected from local market, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. The plant species was authenticated by Botanist, Department of Botany, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. The fruits were shade dried with occasional shifting, then powdered with mechanical grinder passing through sieve, and stored in air-tight container.


## 2.2. Preparation of Extracts

After shade drying the dried fruits were powdered in mechanical grinder. The powdered fruit was macerated with distilled water for 72 hrs at room temperature with occasional stirring. It was then filtered through filter paper, and the filtrate was dried and stored in refrigerator for further use. During experiment the crude extract was diluted with distilled water just before administration to animals.


## 2.3. Chemicals

All chemicals were obtained from the following sources: alloxan was purchased from the Loba Chemie, Mumbai. Commercially available kits for biochemical analyses such as glucose, urea, and creatinine were done using commercial diagnostic kits following manufacturer’s instructions. All reagents used in study were of analytical grade.


## 2.4. Maintenance of Animals and Approval of Protocol

Healthy Swiss albino mice (Mus musculus) (4–6 months old, weighing 28–32 g) were used for the present investigation. They were housed in a clean polypropylene cage and maintained in an air-conditioned experimental room at 12-hour light: dark cycles. The animals were acclimatized to laboratory condition for one week prior to experiment. Standard pellets were used as a basal diet during the experimental period. The control and experimental animals were provided with purified drinking waterad libitum. The animals were maintained in accordance with the “CPCSEA guidelines for laboratory animal facility” (Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision on Experiments on Animals) and the approval number is CPCSEA Registration. number 1129/bc/07/CPCSEA, dated 13/02/2008. Before starting the experiment the animals were carefully marked on different parts of their body, which was later used as identification mark for a particular animal, so that the response of a particular mouse prior to and after the administration could be noted separately.


## 2.5. Acute Oral Toxicity Studies

Momordica charantia at the dose range of 100–2500 mg/kg body weight were administered by oral gavage method on different group of mice comprised of 6 mice in each group. Animals were kept under close observation for 4 hours after administering the fraction for behavior, neurological, and autonomic profile and then observed for any change in the general behavior and/or physical activities; mortality was recorded within 72 hours. Acute toxicity was determined according to the method of Lorke [21].


## 2.6. Induction of Diabetes in Experimental Animals

Diabetes mellitus was induced in overnight fasted mice by a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrates at the rate of 150 mg/kg body weight [22]. The animals were allowed free access to 5% glucose solution to overcome the drug induced hypoglycaemia. Blood glucose level of these mice was estimated 72 hr after alloxan administration, and diabetes was confirmed by blood samples collected from the tip of the tail using a blood glucometer (Accu Sure, Taiwan). Animals with blood glucose level equal to or more than 200 mg/dL were declared diabetic and were used in entire experimental group [23].


## 2.7. Animal Grouping and Treatment Schedule

Four groups of mice, six mice in each, received the following treatment schedule:Group I: normal control (A);Group II: diabetic control (B) (alloxan 150 mg/kg body weighti.p.);Group III: diabetic control (B) (alloxan 150 mg/kg body weighti.p.) + C (Momordica charantia) (fruit extract at the dose of 100 mg/kg body weight);Group IV: diabetic control (B) (alloxan 150 mg/kg body weighti.p.) + D (Momordica charantia) (fruit extract at the dose of 250 mg/kg body weight).


## 2.8. Collection of Blood Sample and Estimation of Serum Biochemical Investigations

After the last dose, animals were fasted for 12 hours and sacrificed. Blood samples were collected by orbital sinus puncture method [24]. Serum was prepared following procedure. Briefly, blood samples were withdrawn from orbital sinus using nonheparinised capillary tubes, collected in dried centrifuge tubes, and allowed to clot. Serum was separated from the clot by centrifuging at 3000 rpm for 15 min at room temperature. Serum was collected carefully and kept at −20°C until analysis of fasting blood glucose concentration was determined by commercially available glucose kit (crest coral clinical system, Goa, India) based on Trinder [25]. Kidney function tests including determination of urea [26], uric acid [27], albumin [28], protein [29], and creatinine [30] in serum were done using diagnostic kits (crest coral clinical system, Goa, India). Lipid peroxidation was estimated by Ohkawa et al. [31]


## 2.9. Body Weight and Kidney Weight

The body weight of mice of each group was measured just before and 21 days after MC (Momordica charantia). Kidney weights were measured after posttreatment sacrifice.


## 2.10. Histopathological Studies

At the end of the experimental period, the whole kidney tissues from each animal were removed after sacrificing the animal by cervical dislocation and a portion of the kidney was cut into two to three pieces of approximately 6 mm3 sizes and fixed for 48 h in 10% formalin saline were dehydrated by passing successfully in different mixture of ethyl alcohol-water, cleaned in xylene and embedded in paraffin wax. Thin sections of 5 μm thickness of kidney tissue were cut and then stained with haematoxylin and eosin dye (H&E), which mounted in neutral deparaffinized xylene (DPX) medium for microscopic observation. The thin sections of kidney were made into permanent slides and examined [32] under high resolution microscope with photographic facility and photomicrographs were taken.


## 2.11. Statistical Analysis

Data from the experiments were presented as mean ± standard deviation. Statistical analysis was done by using the GraphPad Prism Program (GraphPad Software, Inc., San Diego, USA). Pairedt-test was done to see any difference between the paired groups. The level of significance was set at P<0.001.


## 3. Results

### 3.1. Body and Organs Weight

The body and organ weight (kidney) of control and experimental group were given in Table1. The total body weight decreased as well as kidney weight during diabetes, when compared with control mice (P<0.001). Oral administration of aqueous extract (100 mg/kg body weight and 250 mg/kg body weight) significantly improved.Table 1
Effect ofMomordica charantia on body weight and kidney weight in alloxan induced diabetic mice.
Treatment
Body weight (gm)
Kidney weight (gm)
Initial
Final
A
30.33 ± 1.63
32 ± 2.6
1.11 ± 0.15
B
29 ± 1.78∧
18 ± 2.36∧
0.88 ± 0.09∧
C
28.16 ± 1.47*
29.83 ± 2.92*
1.03 ± 0.08*
D
28.50 ± 1.64*
30.70 ± 1.42*
1.10 ± 0.71*
The value represented as means± S.D for six mice per group. ∧P<0.001 compared to normal group and *P<0.001 compared to diabetic group. A: normal control, B: diabetic control, C: Momordica charantia fruit extract at the dose of 100 mg/kg body weight, and D: Momordica charantia fruit extract at the dose of 250 mg/kg body weight.


### 3.2. Serum Glucose Level

After induction of diabetes by alloxan, diabetes was confirmed by the presence of hyperglycemia in animals and the mean level of glucose in the control group of mice was evaluated to be77.67±12.03 mg/dL (range: 60–95), whereas it was 222.5±25.64 mg/dL (range values: 190 to 260, P=0.0001, and t=13.96) in alloxanized group. After the treatment of mice with the fruit extract ofMomordica charantia (100 mg/kg body weight) the glucose level decreased down to 180±22.52 mg/dL (P=0.0123, t=3.82) having a range of 156–220 mg/dL and more potent effect at the dose of 250 mg/kg body weight of extract and the level of glucose also significantly decreased to 112.3±14.04 mg/dL (P=0.0003, t=8.90) having range of 90–129 mg/dL. These variations in glucose concentrations are evident from Figure 1. The significant increase in glucose concentration in the diabetic animals compared to that of the control mice is evident on alloxanization. However, the oral administration of aqueous extract ofMomordica charantia significantly reduced the glucose level in serum when compared with alloxan induced diabetic mice.Figure 1
Effect of aqueous extract of C and D (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) on the serum glucose levels in alloxan induced mice. Values are the means ±S.D. for six animals in each group. Values are significant atP<0.001; statistical significance was compared within groups as follows. **Diabetic mice were compared with normal mice. ***C and D treated diabetic mice were compared with diabetic mice.


### 3.3. Serum Urea Level

In control group of mice urea activity was found to be14.81±1.99 mg/dL having the range of 12 to 17.85 mg/dL. In diabetics, its activity got raised to 28±4.60 mg/dL (P=0.0006, t=7.71) with variations ranging from 22 to 35. However, extract (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) treatment of this group for three weeks resulted in decrease of urea activity to 23±3.79 and 16.67±2.48 (P=0.0449, t=2.66 and P=0.0034, t=5.20) having values ranging from 19 to 30 mg/dL and 13 to 20 mg/dL. These variations are depicted by the box plot in Figure 2.Figure 2
Effect of aqueous extract of C and D (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) on the serum urea levels in alloxan induced mice. Values are the means ± S.D. for six animals in each group. Values are significant atP<0.001; statistical significance was compared within groups as follows. **Diabetic mice were compared with normal mice. ***C and D treated diabetic mice were compared with diabetic mice.


### 3.4. Serum Uric Acid

In control group of mice uric acid activity was found to be4.13±1.17 mg/dL having the range of 2.35 to 5.63 mg/dL. In diabetics, its activity got raised to 12.34±1.86 mg/dL (P=0.0001, t=12.17) with variations ranging from 10 to 15. However, extract (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) treatment of this group for three weeks resulted in decrease of uric acid activity to 7.22±1.61 and 5.01±1.15 (P=0.0052, t=4.73 and P=0.0008, t=7.14) having values ranging from 4.98 to 9.65 mg/dL and 3.56 to 6.98 mg/dL. The overall alterations in these groups are shown in Figure 3.Figure 3
Effect of aqueous extract of C and D (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) on the serum uric acid levels in alloxan induced mice. Values are the means ±S.D. for six animals in each group. Values are significant atP<0.001; statistical significance was compared within groups as follows. **Diabetic mice were compared with normal mice. ***C and D treated diabetic mice were compared with diabetic mice.


### 3.5. Serum Creatinine Level

The estimation of serum creatinine level in control group revealed its level to be0.55±0.11 mg/dL with individual level variations ranging from 0.42 to 0.72 mg/dL. In alloxan treated diabetic group, the mean value was 1.32±0.155 mg/dL with individual level variations ranging from 1.11 to 1.55 mg/dL, whereas, in extract treated at dose of 100 mg/kg body weight, the mean value was 0.93±0.11 mg/dL of the values ranging from 0.79 to 1.10 mg/dL and, at dose of 250 mg/kg body weight, its mean value was 0.77±0.17 mg/dL with ranging from 0.54 to 0.98. This showed a significant increase (P=0.0002, t=10.22) when compared with control group; however, the decline in extract treated level was significant (P=0.0074, t=4.34 and P=0.0017, t=6.14) compared to alloxan treated group (Figure 4).Figure 4
Effect of aqueous extract of C and D (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) on the serum creatinine levels in alloxan induced mice. Values are the means ±S.D. for six animals in each group. Values are significant atP<0.001; statistical significance was compared within groups as follows. **Diabetic mice were compared with normal mice. ***C and D treated diabetic mice were compared with diabetic mice.


### 3.6. Serum Albumin Level

In control group of mice albumin activity was found to be4.01±1.26 g/dL having the range of 2.35 to 5.80 g/dL. In diabetics, its activity got declined to 2.44 ± 0.48 g/dL (P=0.0240, t=3.20) with variations ranging from 1.69 to 3.05. However, extract (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) treatment of this group for three weeks resulted in increase of albumin activity to 3.46±0.72 and 3.05±0.67 (P=0.0189, t=3.41 and P=0.1145, t=1.91) having values ranging from 2.35 to 4.23 g/dL and 2.09 to 3.88 g/dL. These variations along with statistical significance are depicted by box plot as shown in Figure 5.Figure 5
Effect of aqueous extract of C and D (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) on the serum albumin levels in alloxan induced mice. Values are the means ±S.D. for six animals in each group. Values are significant atP<0.001; statistical significance was compared within groups as follows. **Diabetic mice were compared with normal mice. ***C and D treated diabetic mice were compared with diabetic mice.


### 3.7. Serum Protein Level

In control group of mice protein activity was found to be6.33±1.86 g/dL having the range of 4 to 9 g/dL. In diabetics, its activity got declined to 4.01±0.62 g/dL (P=0.0071, t=4.39) with variations ranging from 3.09 to 5.01. However, extract (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) treatment of this group for three weeks resulted in increase of protein levels to 4.73±1.37 and 5.45±1.16 (P=0.0804, t=2.18 and P=0.0240, t=3.20) having values ranging from 3.090 to 6.980 g/dL and 3.85 to 7.24 g/dL. These variations along with statistical significance are depicted by box plot as shown in Figure 6.Figure 6
Effect of aqueous extract of C and D (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) on the serum protein levels in alloxan induced mice. Values are the means ±S.D. for six animals in each group. Values are significant atP<0.001; statistical significance was compared within groups as follows. **Diabetic mice were compared with normal mice. ***C and D treated diabetic mice were compared with diabetic mice.


### 3.8. Serum Lipid Peroxidation Activity

The estimation of serum lipid peroxidation level in control group revealed its level to be1.19±0.11 nmole/mL with individual level variations ranging from 1.02 to 1.35 mg/dL. In alloxan treated diabetic group, the mean value was 2.14±0.18 nmole/mL with individual level variations ranging from 1.87 to 2.38 nmole/mL, whereas in extract treated at dose of 100 mg/kg body weight the mean value was 1.68±0.33 nmole/mL of the values ranging from 1.29 to 2.15 nmole/mL and at dose of 250 mg/kg body weight its mean value was 1.33±0.10 nmole/mL with ranging from 1.19 to 1.49. This showed a significant increase (P=0.0001, t=13.68) when compared with control group; however, the decline in extract treated level was significant (P=0.0231, t=3.23 and P=0.0001, t=13.21) compared to alloxan treated group (Figure 7).Figure 7
Effect of aqueous extract of C and D (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) on the serum lipid peroxidation levels in alloxan induced mice. Values are the means ± S.D. for six animals in each group. Values are significant atP<0.001; statistical significance was compared within groups as follows. **Diabetic mice were compared with normal mice. ***C and D treated diabetic mice were compared with diabetic mice.


### 3.9. Histopathology Study

Figures8 and 9 showed that histological study of kidney of control mice showed well rejuvenated renal corpuscles (glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule) with normal proximal and distal convoluted tubules but in case of diabetic mice showed severe degeneration, in addition to proximal and distal convoluted tubules; alloxan also caused degeneration in glomerulus with increased capsular space,whereas treatment of diabetic mice with aqueous extract ofMomordica charantia caused marked regeneration in kidney histoarchitecture. OralMomordica charantiaadministration rejuvenated proximal and distal convoluted tubules with well-regenerated glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule (Figure 10).Figure 8
Photomicrograph of control mice kidney section (day 21) showing normal histoarchitecture with well-developed proximal and distal convoluted tubules (PCT, DCT) and normal glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule (G and BC).Figure 9
Photomicrograph of diabetic mice kidney section (day 21) showing degenerated glomerulus with distorted proximal and distal convoluted tubules.Figure 10
Photomicrograph of mice kidney section aqueous extract ofMomordica charantia showing well-rejuvenated proximal and distal convoluted tubules with glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule.


## 3.1. Body and Organs Weight

The body and organ weight (kidney) of control and experimental group were given in Table1. The total body weight decreased as well as kidney weight during diabetes, when compared with control mice (P<0.001). Oral administration of aqueous extract (100 mg/kg body weight and 250 mg/kg body weight) significantly improved.Table 1
Effect ofMomordica charantia on body weight and kidney weight in alloxan induced diabetic mice.
Treatment
Body weight (gm)
Kidney weight (gm)
Initial
Final
A
30.33 ± 1.63
32 ± 2.6
1.11 ± 0.15
B
29 ± 1.78∧
18 ± 2.36∧
0.88 ± 0.09∧
C
28.16 ± 1.47*
29.83 ± 2.92*
1.03 ± 0.08*
D
28.50 ± 1.64*
30.70 ± 1.42*
1.10 ± 0.71*
The value represented as means± S.D for six mice per group. ∧P<0.001 compared to normal group and *P<0.001 compared to diabetic group. A: normal control, B: diabetic control, C: Momordica charantia fruit extract at the dose of 100 mg/kg body weight, and D: Momordica charantia fruit extract at the dose of 250 mg/kg body weight.


## 3.2. Serum Glucose Level

After induction of diabetes by alloxan, diabetes was confirmed by the presence of hyperglycemia in animals and the mean level of glucose in the control group of mice was evaluated to be77.67±12.03 mg/dL (range: 60–95), whereas it was 222.5±25.64 mg/dL (range values: 190 to 260, P=0.0001, and t=13.96) in alloxanized group. After the treatment of mice with the fruit extract ofMomordica charantia (100 mg/kg body weight) the glucose level decreased down to 180±22.52 mg/dL (P=0.0123, t=3.82) having a range of 156–220 mg/dL and more potent effect at the dose of 250 mg/kg body weight of extract and the level of glucose also significantly decreased to 112.3±14.04 mg/dL (P=0.0003, t=8.90) having range of 90–129 mg/dL. These variations in glucose concentrations are evident from Figure 1. The significant increase in glucose concentration in the diabetic animals compared to that of the control mice is evident on alloxanization. However, the oral administration of aqueous extract ofMomordica charantia significantly reduced the glucose level in serum when compared with alloxan induced diabetic mice.Figure 1
Effect of aqueous extract of C and D (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) on the serum glucose levels in alloxan induced mice. Values are the means ±S.D. for six animals in each group. Values are significant atP<0.001; statistical significance was compared within groups as follows. **Diabetic mice were compared with normal mice. ***C and D treated diabetic mice were compared with diabetic mice.


## 3.3. Serum Urea Level

In control group of mice urea activity was found to be14.81±1.99 mg/dL having the range of 12 to 17.85 mg/dL. In diabetics, its activity got raised to 28±4.60 mg/dL (P=0.0006, t=7.71) with variations ranging from 22 to 35. However, extract (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) treatment of this group for three weeks resulted in decrease of urea activity to 23±3.79 and 16.67±2.48 (P=0.0449, t=2.66 and P=0.0034, t=5.20) having values ranging from 19 to 30 mg/dL and 13 to 20 mg/dL. These variations are depicted by the box plot in Figure 2.Figure 2
Effect of aqueous extract of C and D (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) on the serum urea levels in alloxan induced mice. Values are the means ± S.D. for six animals in each group. Values are significant atP<0.001; statistical significance was compared within groups as follows. **Diabetic mice were compared with normal mice. ***C and D treated diabetic mice were compared with diabetic mice.


## 3.4. Serum Uric Acid

In control group of mice uric acid activity was found to be4.13±1.17 mg/dL having the range of 2.35 to 5.63 mg/dL. In diabetics, its activity got raised to 12.34±1.86 mg/dL (P=0.0001, t=12.17) with variations ranging from 10 to 15. However, extract (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) treatment of this group for three weeks resulted in decrease of uric acid activity to 7.22±1.61 and 5.01±1.15 (P=0.0052, t=4.73 and P=0.0008, t=7.14) having values ranging from 4.98 to 9.65 mg/dL and 3.56 to 6.98 mg/dL. The overall alterations in these groups are shown in Figure 3.Figure 3
Effect of aqueous extract of C and D (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) on the serum uric acid levels in alloxan induced mice. Values are the means ±S.D. for six animals in each group. Values are significant atP<0.001; statistical significance was compared within groups as follows. **Diabetic mice were compared with normal mice. ***C and D treated diabetic mice were compared with diabetic mice.


## 3.5. Serum Creatinine Level

The estimation of serum creatinine level in control group revealed its level to be0.55±0.11 mg/dL with individual level variations ranging from 0.42 to 0.72 mg/dL. In alloxan treated diabetic group, the mean value was 1.32±0.155 mg/dL with individual level variations ranging from 1.11 to 1.55 mg/dL, whereas, in extract treated at dose of 100 mg/kg body weight, the mean value was 0.93±0.11 mg/dL of the values ranging from 0.79 to 1.10 mg/dL and, at dose of 250 mg/kg body weight, its mean value was 0.77±0.17 mg/dL with ranging from 0.54 to 0.98. This showed a significant increase (P=0.0002, t=10.22) when compared with control group; however, the decline in extract treated level was significant (P=0.0074, t=4.34 and P=0.0017, t=6.14) compared to alloxan treated group (Figure 4).Figure 4
Effect of aqueous extract of C and D (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) on the serum creatinine levels in alloxan induced mice. Values are the means ±S.D. for six animals in each group. Values are significant atP<0.001; statistical significance was compared within groups as follows. **Diabetic mice were compared with normal mice. ***C and D treated diabetic mice were compared with diabetic mice.


## 3.6. Serum Albumin Level

In control group of mice albumin activity was found to be4.01±1.26 g/dL having the range of 2.35 to 5.80 g/dL. In diabetics, its activity got declined to 2.44 ± 0.48 g/dL (P=0.0240, t=3.20) with variations ranging from 1.69 to 3.05. However, extract (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) treatment of this group for three weeks resulted in increase of albumin activity to 3.46±0.72 and 3.05±0.67 (P=0.0189, t=3.41 and P=0.1145, t=1.91) having values ranging from 2.35 to 4.23 g/dL and 2.09 to 3.88 g/dL. These variations along with statistical significance are depicted by box plot as shown in Figure 5.Figure 5
Effect of aqueous extract of C and D (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) on the serum albumin levels in alloxan induced mice. Values are the means ±S.D. for six animals in each group. Values are significant atP<0.001; statistical significance was compared within groups as follows. **Diabetic mice were compared with normal mice. ***C and D treated diabetic mice were compared with diabetic mice.


## 3.7. Serum Protein Level

In control group of mice protein activity was found to be6.33±1.86 g/dL having the range of 4 to 9 g/dL. In diabetics, its activity got declined to 4.01±0.62 g/dL (P=0.0071, t=4.39) with variations ranging from 3.09 to 5.01. However, extract (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) treatment of this group for three weeks resulted in increase of protein levels to 4.73±1.37 and 5.45±1.16 (P=0.0804, t=2.18 and P=0.0240, t=3.20) having values ranging from 3.090 to 6.980 g/dL and 3.85 to 7.24 g/dL. These variations along with statistical significance are depicted by box plot as shown in Figure 6.Figure 6
Effect of aqueous extract of C and D (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) on the serum protein levels in alloxan induced mice. Values are the means ±S.D. for six animals in each group. Values are significant atP<0.001; statistical significance was compared within groups as follows. **Diabetic mice were compared with normal mice. ***C and D treated diabetic mice were compared with diabetic mice.


## 3.8. Serum Lipid Peroxidation Activity

The estimation of serum lipid peroxidation level in control group revealed its level to be1.19±0.11 nmole/mL with individual level variations ranging from 1.02 to 1.35 mg/dL. In alloxan treated diabetic group, the mean value was 2.14±0.18 nmole/mL with individual level variations ranging from 1.87 to 2.38 nmole/mL, whereas in extract treated at dose of 100 mg/kg body weight the mean value was 1.68±0.33 nmole/mL of the values ranging from 1.29 to 2.15 nmole/mL and at dose of 250 mg/kg body weight its mean value was 1.33±0.10 nmole/mL with ranging from 1.19 to 1.49. This showed a significant increase (P=0.0001, t=13.68) when compared with control group; however, the decline in extract treated level was significant (P=0.0231, t=3.23 and P=0.0001, t=13.21) compared to alloxan treated group (Figure 7).Figure 7
Effect of aqueous extract of C and D (100 and 250 mg/kg body weight) on the serum lipid peroxidation levels in alloxan induced mice. Values are the means ± S.D. for six animals in each group. Values are significant atP<0.001; statistical significance was compared within groups as follows. **Diabetic mice were compared with normal mice. ***C and D treated diabetic mice were compared with diabetic mice.


## 3.9. Histopathology Study

Figures8 and 9 showed that histological study of kidney of control mice showed well rejuvenated renal corpuscles (glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule) with normal proximal and distal convoluted tubules but in case of diabetic mice showed severe degeneration, in addition to proximal and distal convoluted tubules; alloxan also caused degeneration in glomerulus with increased capsular space,whereas treatment of diabetic mice with aqueous extract ofMomordica charantia caused marked regeneration in kidney histoarchitecture. OralMomordica charantiaadministration rejuvenated proximal and distal convoluted tubules with well-regenerated glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule (Figure 10).Figure 8
Photomicrograph of control mice kidney section (day 21) showing normal histoarchitecture with well-developed proximal and distal convoluted tubules (PCT, DCT) and normal glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule (G and BC).Figure 9
Photomicrograph of diabetic mice kidney section (day 21) showing degenerated glomerulus with distorted proximal and distal convoluted tubules.Figure 10
Photomicrograph of mice kidney section aqueous extract ofMomordica charantia showing well-rejuvenated proximal and distal convoluted tubules with glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule.


## 4. Discussion

Medicinal plants being the potential sources of bioactive agents are gaining acceptability worldwide. A number of studies on ethnomedicinal plants and herbal medicines have been conducted in the past and plants have been reported for being used for medicinal purpose by tribals in several countries. The ethnobotanical survey can bring out many different clues for the development of drugs to treat human diseases like diabetes. Safe, effective, and inexpensive indigenous remedies are gaining popularity equally among the people of both the urban and rural areas, especially in developing countries like India [33].In this study,Momordica charantia was selected for antidiabetic study and rejuvenating capacity of tissues. Therefore, the study was undertaken to justify its claimed use. Alloxan is most commonly used to induce diabetes in animals.Alloxan is aβ-cytotoxin and induces diabetes mellitusby damaging the insulin secreting β-cells of the pancreas, resulting in decreased endogenous insulin release. Alloxan-administered rabbits become hyperglycemic in a short period of time, followed by hepatic glucose overproduction [34]. High ambient glucose can promote apoptosis, suggested by [35] causing potential cellular damage as a result of hyperglycemia in diabetes. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important mediators of β-cell death during the development of DM. High glucose has been postulated to generate ROS and nitrogen species in numerous cell types. Generation of superoxide by high glucose is well described and arises principally viathe mitochondrial electron transport chain [36]. Another source of glucose induced oxidative stress is viathe polyol pathway where glucose is reduced to sorbitol by aldose reductase in a process that consumes NADPH. This will impair the NADPH-dependent generation of glutathione, an essential cellular antioxidant [37].In this study significant hyperglycemia was achieved after alloxan (150 mg/kg body weight) injection. Alloxan induced diabetic mice with more than 200 mg/dL of blood glucose level were considered to be diabetic and used for the study. However, administration of the aqueous extract at the dose of 100 and 250 mg/kg body weight decreased the glucose level in alloxan induced mice. These results are in accordance with the findings of [16, 38–40]. Such an effect may be accounted for in part by a decrease in the rats of intestinal glucose absorption achieved by an extra pancreatic action including the stimulation of peripheral glucose utilization or enhancing glycolytic and glycogenic process with concomitant decrease in glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis [41]. Effective blood glucose control is the key for preventing or reversing diabetic complications and improving the quality of life in patients with diabetes. On this basis we have selected the glucose induced hyperglycaemic model to screen the antihyperglycaemic activity of the plant extracts.The present study evaluated the changes in body weight and organs weight in control diabetic induced and treated animals for the entire period of the study as decrease in body weight is considered as a marker for the development of diabetes due to continuous excretion of glucose and decrease in peripheral uptake of glucose and glycogen synthesis [42]. Our results indicated a considerable change in body and organs weight between alloxan induced and treated mice. These results are in agreement with the findings of [38, 39] but contradictory with Dans et al. [43] who found thatMomordica charantia had no significant effect on body weight of diabetics. This increase in body weight of diabetic rats as a result ofMomordica charantia treatment may be ascribed to the increase in insulin release.Our results showed that alloxanization caused significant increase in serum uric acid, urea, and creatinine and decrease in level of albumin and protein values in diabetic animals when compared with nondiabetic control. This may be due to the protein glycation in diabetes which may lead to muscle wasting and increased release of purine. This may be due to the protein glycation in diabetes which may lead tomuscle wasting and increased release of purine, the main source of uric acid, as well as increased activity of xanthine oxidase. Our results are consistent with those reported by others [44–46] who showed that serum uric acid, urea, and creatinine levels were increased in diabetic rats. This may due to metabolic disturbance in diabetes reflected in high activities of xanthine oxidase, lipid peroxidation, and increased triacylglycerol and cholesterol levels. Similar results were reported [47] showing the increased concentrations of urea and creatinine due to excessive lipolysis in severe diabetes mellitus leading to ketosis and later on to acidosis. Kidney maintains optimum chemical composition of body fluid by acidification of urine and removal of metabolic wastes such as urea, uric acid, and creatinine. During renal diseases the concentration of these metabolites increases in blood [48]. On the other hand treatment of aqueous extract ofMomordica charantia for 21 days on diabetic mice, the elevated level were become normalize [49–51].In this regard, the decrease of serum albumin and protein in diabetic animals was restored to control rate by insulin treatment, which accelerates amino acid transport through cells and stimulates the protein manufacturing machinery of the cell [52]. Reduction in plasma albumin was observed in alloxan induced mice which may be due to microproteinuria and albuminuria, which is an important clinical marker of diabetic nephropathy [53–55], and/or may be due to increased protein catabolism [56]. Lack of insulin also reduces RNA and mRNA, which is another factor for the reduction of total protein [57]. Our results also correlate with the above findings.Lipid peroxides are the secondary products of oxidative stress and are unleashed as a result of the toxic effect of reactive oxygen species produced during lipid peroxidation in diabetes[58]. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) is one of the cellular features of chronic diabetes. In diabetes, it is thought that hypoinsulinemia increases the activity of the enzyme, fatty acyl coenzyme-A oxidase, which initiates beta-oxidation of fatty acids, resulting in LPO [59]. Increased LPO impairs membrane function by decreasing membrane fluidity and changing the activity of membrane-bound enzymes and receptors [60]. LPO will in turn result in elevated production of free radicals that are harmful to cells in the body [61]. Moreover, lipid peroxide mediated tissue damage has been observed in the development of both types I and II diabetes mellitusand insulin secretion is closely associated with lipoxygenase-derived peroxides. The increased LPO leads to cellular infiltration and islet cell damage in diabetes[62]. During this study, elevated levels of lipid peroxidation were noticed in alloxan treated mice. There are several reports in the literature that demonstrated the elevated levels of lipid peroxides in the alloxan induced diabetes[63]. This normalization may be accomplished by the antioxidant and free radical quenching nature ofMomordica charantia.


## 5. Conclusion

Data from the present study clearly indicate that the aqueous extract of the fruit at 250 mg/kg body weight dose exhibited significant antihyperglycemic than at low dose (100 mg/kg body weight) in the induced diabetic mice, various biochemical parameters like KFT as well as regeneration of kidney tissues. Therefore, further investigation is necessary to determine the exact phytoconstituent responsible for antidiabetic effect.



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*Source: 439158-2014-06-15.xml*