ANTIDIABETIC AND ADAPTOGENIC PROPERTIES OF MOMORDICA-CHARANTIA EXTRACT - AN EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL-EVALUATION

The hypoglycaemic properties of Mormodica charantia (bitter gourd) water extract was tested on alloxan diabetic rats experimentally. A fall of blood sugar after 3 week's treatment with aqueous extract of fruits of the herb was found to be significant (P<0.01). The aqueous extract was more effective in diabetes (fall of blood sugar 54% after 3 week's therapy) than the powder of the dried fruit (fall 25% nonsignificant). Hypoglycaemic effects in diabetic patients were found to be highly significant (p<0.01) at the end of the trial but were cumulative and gradual, unlike that produced by insulin. Adaptogenic properties are indicated by the delay in the appearance of cataracts, the secondary complications of diabetes and relief in neurological and other common symptoms even before the hypoglycaemia occurred.