ANTIDIABETOGENIC IMPACT OF BITTER MELON (MOMORDICA CHARANTIA) AND BLACK CUMIN (NIGELLA SATIVA) ON ALLOXAN INDUCED DIABETIC RABBIT MODEL

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to demonstrate and investigate the antidiabetic effect of the Momordica charantia (Bitter melon) and Nigella sativa (Black cumin) on Alloxan induced diabetes in experimental rabbits. . At the age of 2 to 3 months , rabbits were randomly assigned into five groups (A, B, C, D and E) and each group was contained 4 rabbits. After acclimatization, diabetes was induced in four groups of rabbits (B, C, D and E) by administering Alloxan injection in a dose of 75mg/ 1000 gm body weight (b.wt.) intramuscularlly. Group A was kept for normal control, Group B was kept for diabetic positive control,Group C was treated with bitter melon 150gm/kg body weight orally, Group D was treated with black cumin 250mg/kg body weight orally, Group E treated with both of them at previous doses. Over the course of trial, blood glucose level and body weight were recorded from all group of rabbit to know the antidiabetogenic effect of both bitter melon and black cumin.. Blood glucose level were increased significantly (p<0.05) in all alloxan treated groups compared to the control group A .Simultaneously body weight was decreased significantly (p<0.05) in all alloxan treated groups compared to the control group A. After treatment with the medicinal herbs in group C,D,E , there was significant decrease in blood glucose level in all treated groups C, D, E compared to the group B and body weight was increased in all treated group C, D, E compared to the group B.The present study also reveals that combined treatment with bitter melon and black cumin increases body weight and decreases glucose level without affecting health of rabbits. The results of this study show that chronic oral administration of a suspension of Momordica charantia fruit and Nigella sativa seed, an appropriate dosage may be good alternative as antidiabetic agent.