Tchogou Atchadé Pascal¹, Assou Cendra^{1, 2}, Agbogba Félicienne^{1, 2}, Agniwo Privat², Medoatinsa Espérance¹, Abissi Yollande¹, Lokonon Jacques Ezéchiel¹, Hlouedje Wilfried¹, Houngbeme Alban³, Gbenou Joachim⁴, Anago Eugénie², Senou Maximin^1,

Momordica charantia (M. charantia) is a plant widely used in traditional medicine to treat a number of pathologies, particularly diabetes mellitus. The pharmacological properties of this plant have been demonstrated through the wide variety of its phytochemical components. However, it is very important to know which part of the plant contains the most phytochemical components and biological activity. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the effect on type 1 diabetes in rats and the anti-glycaemic activity of M. charantia ripe fruit extract. Phytochemical screening of ripe fruit was carried out using staining and precipitation reactions. Diabetes was induced in rats by injection of five doses of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) body weight. Efficacy in animals was tested by treating them with the extracts for 28 consecutive days at 10mg/L. The spectrophotometer and a haematology device were used to assay biochemical and haematological parameters respectively. Histological sections were taken following fixation of pancreas with 10% formalin and staining with hematoxylin-eosin (HE). Five secondary metabolites (alkaloids, reducing compounds, saponosides, triterpenes and steroids) were found in the ripe fruit extract. A weak corrective effect on glycemia, and pancreatic necrosis was demonstrated. A corrective activity on HDL hypocholesterolemia and hypercreatininemia associated with diabetes was also observed. Ripe fruit extract of Momordica charantia displayed a moderate antidiabetic activity.

diabetes, momordica charantia, ripe fruit, african