Comparison of variously prepared Momordica charantia aqueous leaf extracts on the isolated mammalian jejunum

Abstract

Background: Momodica charantia is a highly valued herb in tropical and subtropical region for its numerous medicinal advantages. These include: management of bacterial infections and diabetes. In spite of wide consumption of its aqueous leaf extract stored and prepared in various conditions, their pharmacological activities on the jejuna are yet to be documented. The potential of differently prepared extracts having varied effects on the jejuna focused the researcher’s attention.

Objectives: To demonstrate the effects of Momordica charantia aqueous leaf extract prepared and stored under various conditions on the isolated mammalian jejuna.

Methodology: Six healthy rabbits were included. Each rabbit was sacrificed and the jejuna mounted on the Langerndorff apparatus. Baseline rate and force of contraction were recorded, after which each of the various aqueous leaf extract was administered in increasing doses and changes in rate and force of contraction noted.  Paired  T-test  and  repeated  measures  ANOVA  were  used  to  test  for  statistical  significance.  P values less than 0.05 indicated statistical significance.

Results: There was a significant (P<0.05) dose depended increase in jejuna rate and force of contraction with the administration of the various extract preparations. The increase noted was highest and lowest after the administration of fresh boiled extract and fresh aqueous leaf extract respectively.

Discussion: Momordica charantia aqueous leaf extract stored under different conditions have a significant (P<0.05) dose related effect on jejuna rate and force of contraction.  The increase is dose depended and irreversible.

Keywords: Momordica charantia, various extract, jejuna.