The role of bitter melon extracts in reducing the incidence of some metabolic markers, lipid profile and morphological malformation in diabetic mother rats and their newborn

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common metabolic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. Searching for convenient treatment is a potential goal that scientists seek. Momordica charantia, popularly stated by the term bitter melon (BM) has many benefits as it contains numerous active materials, and it has antioxidant and antihyperglycemic effects. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of BM in reducing the incidence of abnormalities in diabetic pregnant rats and their offspring. Forty pregnant albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Group I, control group; Group II, BM treated group; Group III, Diabetic group; Group IV, Diabetic and BM treated group. The maternal rats with diabetes had a significant rise in the serum progesterone also estrogen hormones, while serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) were significantly decreased. Moreover, the total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) content were significantly increased in the diabetic maternal group, otherwise, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration was significantly decreased. There was a noticeable change in the count, weight, and length of newborn delivered to diabetic mothers. Cerebellum tissue homogenate of newborns from diabetic maternal group showed a significant increase in nitric oxide (NO) and a significant decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Conclusion: Treatment of maternal diabetic females with BM has improved most of the tested biochemical and morphological parameters.

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Mansoura Journal of Biology
Volume 67, Issue 6
December 2023
Pages 34-42

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