TMSS Medical College Journal

Objective: Scientific studies revealed hypoglycemic properties of Momordica charantia (karela). The study was carried out to find out Momordica charantia (karela) has lowering effect of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level in the Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Study type: An experimental study. Setting: Anatomy department of BSMMU(Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University) & BIRDEM (Bangladesh Institute of Research & Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders). Subjects: Sixty Five healthy young male rats of Long Evans strain weighing 150 to 280gms aged 10 to 12 weeks were used in this study. Methods: The rats were divided into 4 equal groups depending upon their different sorts of dictary feedings & drug treatment. Main outcome: Variation of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level in different groups of rat. Result: Mean 'initial' and 'final' (on day 7 and day 51 from Streptozotocin/vehicle injection) serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level in the control group (Group-A) Mean # SD was 160.40 $ 43.53 u//L and 113.10 $ 34.94 //L respectively. Therefore, the mean ALP level decreased (P = 0.022*) which is lower than that of the initial value. In untreated diabetic group the mean ALP level Mean ‡ SD was 323.20 $ 35.27 w//L and the mean final Mean # SD was 345.30 $ 31.96 u//L. So here, the ALP level increased (P = Uno. On the other nand. in te msum-realed amberc tas the mean mial Aur level Mean 2 5D was 4.1.00 1 243.40 w//L. and the mean final Mean # SD was 187.20 $ 88.76 u//L, which is lower (P = 0.000*) & in the karela-treated diabetic rats, the initial ALP level Mean # SD was 402.00 $ 214.78 u//L. and the mean final Mean # SD was 351.00 $ 71.37 w//L which is also lower (P = 0.000*). The value in the untreated diabetic group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P=0.000*). On the other hand, the value in the insulin-treated diabetic group was significantly lower than that of the untreated diabetic rats (P = 0.000*). But the value in the karela-treated diabetic group showed comparatively lesser effect than insulin in lowering ALP level.Conclusion: Karela showed a tendency of acting against hyperglycemic effects of Streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus and there was significant decrease alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level in Streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus. However, further investigations are recommended for establishing karela as a safe, useful effective anti-hyperglycemic agent as well as an agent may act against the rise in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level by Streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus.

In the years together, diabetes mellitus is major health problem. In Bangladesh a high proportion of diabetics are registered to different clinic and institutes, among which only Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in diabetes, Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM)| has registered in 1998, 1,93,271 cases which is higher than that of previous year. Although it is understandable that many of the diabetic patient especially in the rural area have not registered themselves to any diabetic clinic or hospitals and many other still remain undiagnosed. In the treatment of diabetes mellitus synthetic oral hypoglycaemics have various side entecisi contraindications. This has led to scientists to search for altematives and many natural products indigenous to various parts of the world. A large number of herbal products have been used as remedies of polyurea. Some of these are in the usual food list of the people concerned. Scientific studies also revealed the hypoglycaemic properties in many of these herbal products. Among these herbal products Momordica charantia ('karela' or bitter ground) is one of such natural products, cultivated in the