Modulation of pancreatic β-cells in neonatally streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats by the ethanolic extract of Momordica charantia fruit pulp

Effective doses of the Momordica charantia fruit pulp (MCF) ethanolic extract on pancreatic beta-cells modulation in neonatally streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats were studied. Diabetic rats (n = 8) were treated with MCF extract (400 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) or glibenclamide (5 mg kg(-1)) for 28 days. Control rats (n = 11) and untreated diabetic rats (n = 8) received only water. Fasting glucose, serum insulin (by ELISA) and beta-cell function (HOMA % B by homeostasis model assessment) were measured. beta- and alpha-cells were identified by immunostaining, nuclei by DAPI, and beta-cell size and number by morphometry. Significant improvement of fasting blood glucose, serum insulin and beta-cell function was observed with the MCF extract for the diabetic rat model. The islet size, total beta-cell area and number of beta-cells were increased to almost double in the diabetic rats treated with MCF extract as compared to the untreated diabetic rats. The number of alpha-cells did not change significantly. Insulin granules in beta-cells were notably reduced in diabetic islets as compared to control islets. However, extract-treated diabetic rat beta-cells were abundant with insulin granules, which was comparable to non-diabetic control islets. The modulation of pancreatic beta-cells may be involved in the experimental observation of anti-diabetic effects of M. charantia extract.