Effects of Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) on indomethacin-induced ulcer model in rats.
OBJECTIVE
Fruits of Momordica charantia L.-cucurbitaceae have been frequently used in folk medicine for rapid healing of cutaneous lesions and peptic ulcer, especially in Western Anatolia in Turkey.


METHODS
The anti-ulcerogenic effect of the oily extract of Momordica charantia fruits was investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were separated into six groups. Distilled water (control group), famotidine (40 mg/kg), oily extracts (5 and 10 ml/kg), and vehicles (olive oil -5 and 10 ml/kg) were given orally (gavage). Thirty minutes later indomethacin (25 mg/kg) was administrated to all the groups. Six hours later, animals were killed with decapitation. For each stomach, ulcerated and total areas were measured (mm2). The ulcer indexes for each stomach and the ulcer inhibition rates for each group were calculated, after which the stomachs were evaluated pathologically (polymorphonuclear leukocytes infiltration).


RESULTS
Ulcer inhibition rates were as follows: famotidine -91.54%, oily extract (5 ml/kg) -53.80%, oily extract (10 ml/kg) -98.04%, vehicle (olive oil -5 ml/kg) -18.40%, and vehicle (olive oil -10 ml/kg) -88.02%. According to polymorphonuclear leukocytes infiltration, oily extract (10 ml/kg) and vehicle (10 ml/kg) had similar effects to famotidine.


CONCLUSIONS
The olive oil extract of M. charantia fruit did show a protective effect macroscopically.
Ozbakiş Dengiz
Günnur
G
Department of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey. gozbakis@atauni.edu.tr
Gürsan
Nesrin
N
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000633:toxicity; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015738:Famotidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005638:Fruit; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D029777:Momordica charantia; D000069463:Olive Oil; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D028321:Plant Preparations; D015738:Famotidine; D007213:Indomethacin