title: Impact of Momordica charantia extract on kidney function and structure in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bitter Melon (BM) is known for its hypoglycemic effect and is commonly used in populations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the effects and safety of bitter melon fruit in laboratory mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this experimental study 70 male mice (25-30 gr) were randomly divided into 7 groups. The mice were injected intraperitoneally with single doses of 0, 100, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg/kg and multiple doses 500 mg/kg daily for 7 days. The mice were then observed for 72 hours before sacrificing. Immediately kidneys were taken out for histological examinations. Tubular cell vacuolization and flattening as well as hyaline casts, debris and dilatation of tubular lumen were the morphologic lesions which were assessed with scores from 0 to 4, while zero score addressed normal renal tissue. Serum samples were assayed for kidney function (creatinine; Cr and Blood Urea Nitrogen; BUN). Blood and bitter melon antioxidant activities were measured, too. Data were analyzed with Stata software (Stata Corp. 2011. Stata Statistical Software: Release 12. College Station, TX: Stata Corp LP)using ANOVA and Bonferroni tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All single dose groups showed normal behavior after the dosing and no statistical changes were observed in blood parameters (p>0.05). Histological examinations revealed normal organ structures, however, the group treated for 7 days showed statistically a significant change in BUN (p=0.002) and a borderline significance in Cr (p=0.051).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Administration of up to 4000 mg/kg did not have any effect on the mice kidney function and histology, however chronic administration were nephrotoxic. More studies with different dosage regimens are suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mardani
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Division of Nephropathology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nasri
authors.affiliation: Medical Plants Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Shabnam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hajian
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahmadi
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Reyhane
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kazemi
authors.affiliation: Medical Plants Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rafieian-Kopaei
keywords: Bitter Melon; Momordica charantia; Nephrotoxicity