Beneficial effect and mechanism of action of Momordica charantia in the treatment of diabetes mellitus: a mini review

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common of the endocrine disorders and represents a global health problem. DM is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia due to relative or absolute lack of insulin or the actions of insulin. Insulin is the main treatment for patients with type 1 DM and it is also important in type 2 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 diabetes throughout the world. One such plant is Momordica charantia (Linn Family: Cucurbaceae), whose fruit is known as Karela or bittergourd. For a long time, several workers have studied the effects of this plant in DM. Treatment with M. charantia fruit juice reduced blood glucose levels, improved body weight and glucose tolerance. M. charantia fruit juice can also inhibit glucose uptake by the gut and stimulate glucose uptake by skeletal muscle cells. Moreover, the juice of this plant preserves islet β cells and β cell functions, normalises the 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.