Protein extract from the fruit pulp of Momordica charantia potentiate glucose uptake by up-regulating GLUT4 and AMPK

- Protein extract from M. charantia reduced blood glucose level in diabetic rats.
- Protein extract treatment improved oral glucose tolerance in diabetic rats.
- It also recovered the pancreatic islet to the normal architecture.
- Protein extract from M. charantia up regulates GLUT4 and AMPK expression.

Proteins extracts from Momordica charantia var. charantia and M. charantia var. muricata were orally administered to study anti-diabetic activity and its mechanism in male wistar rats. Thirty-five rats were divided into seven groups, and type-2 diabetes was induced using high-fat diet, nicotinamide and Streptozotocin. Blood glucose levels, oral glucose tolerance, histopathological observations, expression of the genes involved in glucose uptake pathway were studied. Significant reductions in blood glucose levels were observed in diabetic rats treated with protein extracts when compared with diabetic controls. Improved oral glucose tolerance and reacquisition of pancreatic islet architecture were observed in treated rats. Expressions of phosphorylated protein kinase B, glucose transporter4 (GLUT4), and phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (pAMPK) were significantly increased in skeletal muscle and adipose tissues of treated rats when compared with diabetic controls. These results demonstrated that the protein extracts have anti-hyperglycemic properties and promote glucose uptake by up-regulating GLUT4 and pAMPK.