Mechanism of Action of Momordica Charantia as a Hypoglycemic Agent in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus

Dr. Emanuel Cummings, Celia Garau, David Phoenix, and Jaipaul Singh

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common of the endocrine disorders and represents a global health problem. Diabetes mellitus is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia due to relative or absolute lack of insulin or the actions of insulin. Insulin is the main treatment for patients with Type I DM and is also important in Type II DM when blood glucose levels cannot be controlled by diet, weight loss, exercise and oral medications alone. Prior to the availability of insulin, dietary measures including the traditional medicines derived from plants were the major form of treatment. A multitude of plants have been used for the treatment of DM throughout the world. One such plant is Momordica charantia known as Karela or bitter gourd. For a long time several investigators have studied the effects of this plant on DM. Treatment with M Charantia fruit juice reduced blood glucose levels, improved body weight and glucose tolerance. M. Chrantia can also inhibit the uptake of glucose by the gt and stimulate glucose uptake by skeletal muscle cells. Moreover the juice of this plant extract preserves islets b cells functions, normalizes systolic blood pressure and modulates xenobiotic metabolism and oxidative stress. M charantia also has anti-carcinogenic properties. In conclusion, M Charantia has tremendous beneficial values in the treatment of DM.