Protein extract from the fruit pulp of Momordica dioica shows anti-diabetic, anti-lipidemic and antioxidant activity in diabetic rats

Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were orally treated with protein extract from Momordica dioica fruit pulp for 30 days. Treated rats showed reduced blood glucose levels, greater oral carbohydrate tolerance, and ameliorated weight loss. Glucose, urea, triglycerides, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly decreased, while high-density lipoprotein levels were significantly increased in treated diabetic rats, compared to untreated diabetic rats (P < 0.05). In liver and kidney tissues, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and reduced glutathione levels were significantly increased, while thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels significantly decreased in treated diabetic rats, compared to untreated diabetic rats (P < 0.05). Furthermore, there were no significant morphological changes in the liver and kidney tissue of treated rats, compared to control rats. In this light, it has been established for the first time that protein extract from a non-bitter species of Momordica has anti-diabetic, anti-lipidemic, and antioxidant properties.