Neuroprotective effect of Momordica charantia in global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion induced neuronal damage in diabetic mice.
BACKGROUND
Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) fruits have been used traditionally for centuries, especially for treating diabetes and associated complications.


OBJECTIVE
The present study was performed to evaluate neuroprotective effect of lyophilized M. charantia fruit juice against global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion induced neuronal injury in diabetic mice.


METHODS
Global cerebral ischemia induced by occluding both common carotid arteries for 10 min followed by 24 h reperfusion was used to induce neuronal injury. Ischemia-reperfusion induced neuronal injury was evaluated in terms of cerebral infarct size, generation of free radicals measured as thiobarbaturic acid reactive substances (TBARS), and neurological functions measured as short term memory and motor activity.


RESULTS
The cerebral oxidative stress and damage, and neurological deficits were dose dependently attenuated by pre-treatment with the lyophilized M. charantia juice (200-800 mg/kg, p.o., o.d.). Moreover, M. charantia also exhibited dose dependent antihyperglycemic activity in diabetic mice.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that M. charantia has potent neuroprotective activity against global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion induced neuronal injury and consequent neurological deficits in diabetic mice.
Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Gal Kalan, Ferozpur Road, Moga, Punjab 142001, India. zafar18@rediffmail.com
Zafar Ahmad
ZA
Malik
Manjeet
M
Singh
P L
PL
Sharma
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D005260:Female; D007194:India; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D029777:Momordica charantia / Q000737:chemistry; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances